Posted on: Sunday, August 1, 2004
Season of giving starts early
By Anna Weaver
Advertiser Staff Writer
Though 'tis not the season for candy canes, carols or Kris Kringle, it looked a lot like Christmas at Harris United Methodist Church yesterday evening.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser "It's a special thing for our guests. Many of them are chronically homeless," said Margot Schrire of the Institute for Human Services. "It's a real treat for them to go be welcomed into the community and to be treated to such a special early Christmas."
And it couldn't have come at a better time. Schrire said recent cuts in the food budget means that meal contributions from outside groups are needed more than ever to pay for the 900 meals IHS serves each day. "We can only do this if we receive this type of work from community groups," said Schrire, IHS's Volunteer Services and Public Relations Manager.
This is the 11th year Harris United has hosted a summer Christmas party for Institute for Human Services' clients instead of doing it during the holiday season when IHS has an abundance of groups that want to help.
The Christmas in July event began outside where tables for cards, chess and checkers were set up, popcorn and punch were served, and there was a bouncer for the kids.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser For dinner the nearly 100 guests ate 320 pounds of teriyaki chicken, 40 pounds of rice, 12 gallons of canned corn with 2 pounds of butter melted into it, 20 pounds of salad with homemade oil-and-vinegar dressing, 100 pounds of watermelon, and 15 loaves of French garlic bread. An ice cream sundae buffet topped off the summery Christmas feast. This year 21 gallons of the sweet stuff were served.
Food coordinator Karen Takemoto put in dozens of hours in preparation, including running around to Costco and Foodland for groceries, cleaning and pre-soaking the chicken in teriyaki sauce, and supervising the meal.
"Our church is looking to where we can be of most service to the community," says church volunteer Helen Mixell. "We feel good about being able to help the community nearby."
Mixell and Takemoto were one of about 85 church volunteers who made this year's Christmas in July possible. Eight-hundred dollars from Harris United's Women's Group and the church and $300 of donations from the congregation covered the evening's expenses.
IHS needs group volunteers to donate and cook daily meals. To volunteer call Margot Schrire at 845-7150. "For the kids it's great to go out," said Schrire. "They just love Santa and they love the gifts and the games."
"The kids seem to enjoy it. Everybody loves it," said IHS resident Perla Foster. "They should have it more often."
Reach Anna Weaver at 535-2455 or at aweaver@honoluluadvertiser.com.
A tree decked out with lights and ornaments, surrounded by stuffed animals, sat on a stage in the church hall. The walls were covered in Christmas decorations, holiday songs were played, and four long tables were lined with people busily eating.
Four-year-old Nikko Sepulona exchanges a few shy words with Santa Claus during the 11th annual Christmas in July Celebration for homeless families at the Harris United Methodist Church.
Eleven-year-old Arze William said she was having fun jumping around in the inflatable, eating and talking with her friends. "This is better and more funner than Christmas time," she said.
Raston Ezra, 4, Tiare Talo, 3, and Antesy Eas, 4, play in an inflatable party jumper at the Christmas in July Celebration. The annual event gives an early holiday treat to homeless families.
A surprise visit from Santa Claus ended the night and families left with toiletry bags, stuffed animals and full bellies.
Volunteer cooks needed
