What did the Madison Twp., youngster learn after wrapping presents for the homeless children and local residents?
“It’s better to give than receive,” he said.
His father, Andy Eby, added: “We’ve got so much. This puts everything in perspective.”
About 75 people from the Middletown community ate lunch at Hope House, then were handed large plastic bags filled with presents that were age and gender specific. The gifts were donated by Middletown area churches.
The Rev. Mitchell Foster, director of the homeless shelter, said he was “overwhelmed” by the generosity of the Middletown community.
“It can’t get any better than this,” he said.
Malinda Pearson, 26, picked up presents for her husband and four children. She lived at Hope House last year for four months. She lives at Freedom Court and hopes to earn her GED next year, then open a recreation center.
“This is a blessing from God,” she said. “When he opens doors, you have to walk through or he doesn’t think you want to accept his gifts.”
Just then, more gifts arrived through the front door. Robbie and Jenny Childers, members of Berachah Baptist Church in Middletown, made several trips from their truck, their hands full of 45 wrapped presents.
The church’s “i Life” class raised $712 during its garage sale, and spent every penny on presents. They said Kohl’s gave them 30 percent off their purchases.
“We had a ball doing it,” Robbie Childers said. “We’re going to do it again next year and blow their socks off.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.
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