Bret and Amy Cade of Grayson began a ministry seven years ago with three familes who wanted to share a bit of their lives with those who were homeless on Christmas Day. “We simply wanted to give a few forgotten homeless a cup of coffee on Christmas morning,” says Amy.  “So we bundled our children, loaded our mini vans and headed to Peachtree Street with three thermos' of coffee and about fifty styrofoam cups. 

Arriving downtown, they unfolded two small tables and began to call out to people passing by. “Realizing that someone had actually shown up to wish them a Merry Christmas, within minutes we had seventy plus men gathered around the tables.”

She recalls how she cried when they ran out of cups and the men began foraging for old cans and plastic bottles off the streets for their coffee.  “We had no idea of the depth of their neediness, and were so humbled at the gratitude that was lavished on us for simply thinking of them.”

“From that moment on the preciousness of others was permanently stamped on our hearts and even greater, on the hearts of our children.” The Cades worried that their children would be grumpy waking up at 5:00 am on Christmas Day; leaving behind a warm home full of presents, stuffed stockings and good food.

They needn’t have worried. Amy recalls her middle son’s words when she doubts. “It just wouldn’t be Christmas if we didn’t love on these people a little." 

After that first year, they quietly inserted letters into the mailboxes in their neighborhood listing the items they hoped to collect for Christmas morning: lightly worn coats, socks, gloves, hats, toiletries, chap stick … The letter invited anyone who wanted to help, to just let them know. Their little group grew to 7 families the second year, who looked to share the joy of the season and God’s abundance in their own lives.

In 2010, more than twenty families joined together for the Christmas Day remembrance of “those who would be otherwise forgotten.” Local businesses, hearing of this ministery, have stepped up with donations. Chicken soup from Chick-fil-A on Highway 124, coffee and cups from Starbucks near the Avenues, breads from Atlanta Bread and even the donation of a 150 instant soups from Parisian Nail have made it possible to help so many more. 

The Cades' living room is no longer adequate for the sorting and organization. Tim Brogan, Pastor at Grayson First Baptist has offered the use of the gymnasium to accomplish this.  “Generosity is a beautiful thing.”

Amy extends the invitation to participate to those in our area. From collecting goods and needs from their community to assisting with sorting at Grayson First Baptist Gymnasium on Tuesday, December 20, from 9 am-noon, there’s much to be done.

While there are those who will collect and drop off, others will help with the sorting. “However, most people would not think of missing the toothless smiles and bright eyed thanks received from these grateful homeless lives in downtown Atlanta.” The homeless are not the only ones blessed by the ministry, “Volunteers leave better people. What a blessing to see the ripple effect of loving well.”

Last year, more than three hundred were served and each year this number seems to grow. “We never turn anyone away. This is purely a grass roots effort to remember the preciousness of other.”

According to Mandi Dale, the communications coordinator, the following items are needed:

• Coats, hats, gloves, scarves, blankets, clothing, shoes, toiletries, chapstick, backpacks/duffelbags/small suitcases for them to use to carry the items they receive. 

• Cash donations are welcome to help to providesack lunches for as many of the homeless as possible. THIS IS NOT YET A NON-PROFIT so nothing is tax deductible.

• Any donations of hot food for the day, in particular hot breakfast items from individuals or local businesses. 

The ministry is only possible through the donations of a community willing to give and show compassion on those less fortunate.  Those interested in being of assistance are welcome to e-mail Mandi Dale at mandidale@yahoo.com.