Enlarge Arella LaPrade, 4, stands next to donated items Dec. 12 at Freedom Park.

Posted: December 15th, 2009 Tonya Jameson

At Freedom Park on Dec. 12, children bounced in an air tent, made arts and crafts and told Santa their Christmas wishes during the park’s annual tree lighting celebration. Around them were the obvious signs of holiday cheer: lights, a humongous tree and Christmas carols.

Mixed in with frivolity was another sign of the holiday – the desire to give. Volunteers for Empowering Youth and other ministries as well as ClotheCharlotte collected donations to help the community.

Rashanda Broadway of Empowering Youth said she along with friends and other churches collected hats, scarves, coats and other items. This is Broadway’s first time participating in the celebration. With only a month’s preparation, Broadway and her friends collected enough items to fill several tables. They plan to donate the items to A Child’s Place and the Salvation Army.

“We all collaborated to give back to the community,” Broadway said.

Joe McGrew, of Clothe Charlotte, used the celebration as a chance to help homeless people. He and other volunteers hope to collect 5,000 sleeping bags. His goal is to ensure that every homeless person has a sleeping bag. As of Dec. 12, they collected about 50 bags.

Bags, new and used, can be donated at area Omega Sports stores. McGrew and volunteers will also collect bags 10 a.m. Dec. 19 at Freedom Park. After collecting bags, volunteers deliver the bags to homeless throughout the city.

McGrew isn’t worried about achieving their goal. Last year, donations poured in at the last minute, he said. Plus, he says how can anyone not help the homeless, many of whom are children? “If that doesn’t motivate, then I don’t know what does,” McGrew said.

For more information: ClotheCharlotte or 704-916-9356.

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