by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Dec. 25 will be a very merry Christmas for the women, children and men who call Trinity Rescue Mission home.
Thursday, Palencia delivered a POD and car full of toys, food and clothing for the women and children at Trinity Rescue Mission. Jim Kilpatrick, executive director of Trinity Rescue Mission, was also presented with checks to be used to purchase presents for the men that live in the Men’s Center.
Kim Wells, director of the Women and Children’s Center of Trinity Rescue Mission, said there are currently 54 women and children living at the Center. She added that the men are in a separate building and their 129 beds are full every night. The Women and Children’s Center has 113 beds.
“This is huge,” said Wells about all of the food and gifts. “It’s that sense of normalcy, when they get up Christmas morning and there is a Christmas tree and presents for them.”
The food, gifts and money donated to Trinity Rescue Mission are greatly appreciated by the employees, but more importantly the men, women and children at Trinity Rescue Mission will have a memorable Christmas.
Wells said last year each child received two large gifts and two small gifts, but it all comes down to how much is donated each year. The toys for the children will be set up in a store-like setting so the mothers can “shop” for their children.
Palencia has always been a major part of Trinity Rescue Mission. Naomi Lumley, sales and marketing manager for Palencia, said since the developers of Palencia built the building, they wanted to help the Center at Christmas.
Palencia collected donations at their four holiday show homes that were available for people to view for free in exchange for a gift. All of the donated gifts from the holiday show homes, a charity golf tournament and a 5K run are being given to Palencia’s four charities.
Lumley said aside from the actual gifts, they also raised $30,000 that is being split between the four organizations.
“This is a real blessing for us,” she said. “This is what Christmas is all about — taking care of other people.
“The men, women and children are truly cared for here and have all the help to get them back into society.”