The Season of Giving
Written by Leo Nicole
D St Christmas Dinner
Continuing our long-standing tradition of cooking for the homeless shelter on the first Thursday of every month, members of our Leo Club volunteered to cook a hearty meal of mashed potatoes, a roasted medley of vegetables, glazed ham with pineapple, Christmas cookies, and hot cocoa. For many of the Leos, it was their first time cooking at the homeless shelter. It was inspiring to see the new younger generation coming out to help and be inspired by the acts of kindness.
The entire week had been pouring, and the bitter wind pierced through everyone’s bones. We were grateful to provide the homeless with a comforting meal in the warmth and dryness. The looks of appreciation on everyone’s faces were unforgettable!
Click on this link to see a video of all of the steps, from purchasing the fresh produce to plating the meals! December Homeless Shelter Video
Merced Downtown Christmas Parade
Leos from Merced High, Golden Valley, and El Capitan spent an entire week making decorations for the Christmas Parade downtown, staying after school to paint and create an entire life size jukebox out of cardboard donated from the local furniture shop, Aaron’s, pool noodles, and other materials. This year’s theme was “rocking around the Christmas tree among the centuries,” so we decided to make our float resemble the 1950s: sock hop style.
D St Shelter Christmas Project
Thanks to a $500 donation from the California Lions Youth and Camp Foundation, the El Capitan Leo Club was able to spend months planning “The Homeless Shelter Christmas Project.” Our ultimate goal was to bring the Christmas spirit to the homeless by letting them have an opportunity to relax, feel the nostalgia of their past childhood, and make care packages with essential items for the winter. After reaching out to the homeless shelter, we purchased shampoo, conditioner, lip balm, lotion, razors, and socks for men and women. We also received a generous donation of toothbrushes and toothpaste from Dr. Samuel Sheu at Bear Creek Family Dental.
At the homeless shelter, we baked fresh chocolate chip cookies, made hot cocoa, and presented Christmas movies. Additionally, we provided Christmas cards and postage stamps for the homeless to write to their families or loved ones. The aroma of the cookies along with the merry vibes brought a smile to everyone’s faces. Without the support from local businesses, people in our community, and Lions Clubs, this project wouldn’t have been possible! In the next year, we hope to extend our arms to the community even more and make lasting impacts.
