Robyn posted on November 01, 2011 11:42
What would we do without Gwen Wallace? For the second year running, Ms. Gwen, a retired BellSouth employee, has utilized her expertise in customer service and database management to single-handedly screen the Festival of Three Kings Christmas program applications.
For one busy day in July, Gwen and assistant Gloria Tyra coordinated four separate phone lines to register families from West Birmingham for Christmas assistance. For the next three months, Ms. Gwen met with each family to conduct interviews and check documentation. This involved over 135 hours of volunteer work on her part. The result? She ensured that 320 kids in West Birmingham (plus 70 more children of inmates) will have a very Merry Christmas!
The Festival of Three Kings is a compassion ministry supported by United Methodist Churches in Birmingham. We are able to refer children from the Western area of Birmingham, who then receive Christmas gifts and other needed goods (including clothing) sponsored by church members. The festival culminates in a big celebration at the Alabama State Fair Grounds, where families come to receive their gifts.
When she's not volunteering, Gwen loves to quilt (above: Gwen sold several quilts at the Collard Green Cook-Off last month).
If you would like to help Gloria next year when she takes Gwen's place as head program coordinator, please contact us at 781-0517.
Thank you, Gwen and Gloria! And to all of our other faithful volunteers - we couldn't do it without you!
If you are looking for holiday volunteer opportunities, consider one of the needs listed below:
- serve Thanksgiving dinner Wednesday, November 23 from 12 - 1 p.m.
- serve Christmas dinner Wednesday, December 14 from 12 - 1 p.m.
- host a food drive for our Food Pantry (see needs list)
We <3 our faithful volunteers!