Outreach program gives families a happy holiday

Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle offered those in need help with both food and their health recently at its first Clinic in Roselle.

The nondenominational outreach was for residents of Roselle and the surrounding area.

Not only were food baskets with fresh turkeys given out, but dentists, nurses, doctors, a massage therapist and chiropractors donated their time.

Staff from Pivot Point in Bloomingdale and other area hairdressers cut hair nonstop from the moment the doors opened at 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. when it was time to close down their stations.

Visitors found free family photos, a hot meal and an entire gym offering a food pantry and walk-in clothing closet. There were even crafts for children.

The food pantry shelves were overflowing with donations, and there were rows and rows of tables with clothing in beautiful condition. Visitors had their choice of winter coats, men's suits, Christmas sweaters, trendy clothes for teens and 150 hand-made quilts.

As a volunteer advocate, I had the joy of being one of the 450 volunteers who donated time and services. Each family that arrived for services was paired with an advocate, who stayed with their family and helped them through the maze of choices.

My new family immediately greeted me with a hug. I knew I had an easy day ahead of me. So I got to know my family of grandmother Linda Jenkins of Hoffman Estates and her granddaughter, Porchia Harris, a second-grader, and great-grandson, D.J. Wallace, 2.

Jenkins and Porchia were ready to go shopping, but D.J. was very distracted. We finally realized he was hungry and made our way through halls packed with clinic visitors to the Family Life Center for lunch.

The buffet had a wonderful assortment of hot meal choices, and soon D.J.'s plate was heaping. He ate every single bite.

Food production was led by Chef Stephen Biegel, one of Trinity's pastors, and the hard-working team of Kelly and Bill Wilkinson. Lovely background music was provided by volunteers. The clinic fed about 800 people, both guests and volunteers.

With full tummies, we made our way back to the clothing closet. Then it was time for Jenkins' haircut. I took the children to the activity room for crafts, where Porchia drew me a special picture. The only way to lure D.J. away from the crafts was with the promise of cookies.

"It was so nice of you to do this," Porchia said. "Will you do it again next year?"

"Oh yes," I told her.

"When we come back, can we get you again?" she asked.

"I'm not sure," I said, "but I sure hope so."

After I helped pack Jenkins up with her food and goodies, she said, "Jill, I think I met an angel today."

I quietly thought to myself, "No, Linda, it was me who met the angels today."

I went back in the doors filled with joy to work with my next family for the rest of the day. They, too, were just as kind and generous.

A huge thanks goes to Amy Herring who graciously --and with much good humor -- conducted this enormous outreach program. If you would like to get involved in future community programs, visit Trinity's Web site, www.trinityroselle.com.