As the weather cools and the year nears its end, as we hear the Salvation Army bells ringing on our way to and fro, we may pause to ponder what true “Christmas spirit” is. And somewhere deep within emerges a desire to give.
Whether it be time, money or surplus household items, we all have something to give. This holiday, some of our Geist neighbors are asking you to join them in giving to the homeless and the destitute -- to give the gift of hope and kindness.
We give the philanthropy award to Feather Cove 1, with two charitable efforts currently underway in this Geist neighborhood.
For God So Loved the World
Susan Cotter and Sharon Coble are rallying neighbors to support an east-side shelter for recovering drug addicts and others in crisis. Pastor Rhonda Langston runs the “For God So Loved the World” ministry, offering hope and help to desperate families.
Feather Cove 1 has adopted this charity after witnessing its success in the life of a neighbor’s daughter. Cotter recently visited the shelter, located at 5353 Raymond St., and was “awestruck.”
“It was amazing,” said Cotter, noting that she witnessed harmony among all residents and staff, most of which are “success stories” themselves. “God runs this organization.”
Cotter has recruited her employer, National Wine & Spirits, to help raise funds as well. A Giving Tree will be set up at the company’s headquarters. Cotter will have another tree at her Feather Cove 1 home.
How you can help:
All Geist residents are invited to stop by Cotter’s home, 10848 Courageous Drive, from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23, for refreshments and the opportunity to pick an ornament or two from the Giving Tree. Each ornament lists an item needed by the ministry, such as clothing or toiletries.
If you are unable to attend but would still like to help, you may email Cotter at scotter@nwscorp.com to arrange a donation. Monetary donations are also happily accepted, and all donations are tax deductible.
The Pourhouse
For weeks, blankets and other winter weather gear have been showing up on Brigitte Johnson’s Feather Cove 1 porch. When she gets enough, she calls her sister, Andrea DeMink, and they stuff their vehicles floorboard-to-roof, heading downtown to distribute the items to grateful men who spend these nippy nights under a bridge or in a stairwell.
DeMink is founder of the Pourhouse, a ministry to the homeless, serving up meals and care to those in need. It all started about 12 years ago when she was working on the Circle downtown and looked out the window to see a man digging in the trash for food. She walked outside and asked him if she could buy him lunch. Soon, they were eating together every day.
It's that relationship-based approach that sets the Pourhouse apart from many other homeless ministries. DeMink and her associates aim to build a friendship first, then help the man move toward his individual goals.
“We just spend time hanging out,” explains DeMink. “We ask them, ‘What is the next step you want to take in your life, and how can we help you get there?’”
Sometimes that involves job counseling, addiction recovery or assistance with healthcare or housing. Other times, it simply means celebrating special days and showing that someone cares if they wake up the next morning.
“We have some crazy days, but we have a lot of fun,” DeMink says. “I kind of have a knack with people who are unmedicated and mentally ill. It’s definitely my calling. It’s what I was made to do.”
Johnson has supported her sister’s efforts by recruiting families in Feather Cove 1 to help make meals for the Pourhouse once a month. “We were making food for 250-plus people,” Brigitte said. “We got crazy looks in Costco with the sheer amount of food we were getting.”
Horizon Christian School also has been an avid supporter of the Pourhouse, often making sandwiches and putting together sack lunches.
“They’re one of my favorite groups,” DeMink says of Horizon. “They do a lot of special things like candy bags with handwritten notes.”
One year, a 2nd grade class drew pictures for the ministry. DeMink was touched to find one of those hand-drawn pictures taped under a bridge -- a treasured possession of one homeless man.
How you can help:
With the unemployment rate rising, DeMink is seeing more faces on the streets daily. Please consider donating new or gently used blankets or winter weather gear. Or, you may mail a tax-deductible donation to: The PourHouse Inc., 55 Monument Circle, Suite 201, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Here is a List of Current Needs for Fall & Winter Seasons:
* Men’s casual long-sleeved shirts/sweatshirts - especially hoodies (L-3X)
* Men’s jeans/cargo pants (30-40, all lengths)
* Men’s walking/tennis shoes & boots (8-15)
* Men's socks and underwear (M-3X)
* Men’s Winter Coats, ski pants and coveralls (L-3X)
* Men’s hats, scarves and gloves
* Blankets, comforters, sleeping bags
* Aldi, Meijer, Marsh, Wal-Mart or Kroger gift certificates
* Lightweight, portable sleeping mats (i.e. Thermarest)
* Air Pots (to keep drinks hot)
* BUNN (industrial/banquet sized) coffee-maker (not percolator)
* IndyGo bus passes (necessary for job searches!)
*Items should be sorted, bagged and labeled. Find specifics for donating at www.pourhouse.org.
*Johnson has offered her home -- at 8171 Bowline Drive -- to serve as a collection point for donations from the Geist area. Items may be left on the porch or by the garage door.
It’s good to know that Christmas spirit is alive and well in Geist. Happy Giving!
