In the 1980s working at Nashville’s Great American Opportunities, I heard about the shelter operated by St. Patrick’s Church.
Henry Bedford, CFO of Great American Opportunities, was heavily involved in this charity and shared the information with the office, so I promptly volunteered.
I’d get off work and head over to the shelter. I wouldn’t leave until I woke up the next morning completing my 12-hour “shift’.
There was a lot of work to do for every volunteer. We had to prepare meals, clean up, do laundry and be available if guests needed anything.
One night around midnight, we were awakened and alerted that someone was heading over NOW. Earlier in the evening, a family of four had escaped a fire in their home and watched in horror as their house and everything in it burned completely to the ground.
They had nowhere to go, but an smergency service involved was familiar with St. Patrick’s resources and called the shelter to arrange for them to arrive within the hour.
When the family came in, we were there to greet them. I’ll never forget the look in the mother’s eyes while we buzzed around trying to make sure they had what they needed and were situated for the rest of the night. They were exhausted, scared, and heartbroken but grateful.
There was a big pantry for donated clothing. We got their sizes and searched through bins and hangers to find enough things for them to have for the next several days.
At least for that brief relief, there was one less worry on their plate.
There are other volunteering experiences for the homeless, the elderly, and disabled children, but that one is one of the most prominent. I consider them all to be blessings to me.
Those times are among my most precious and heartwarming memories from having the opportunities and privileges of participating in such worthy causes for people who are temporarily or long-term facing homelessness
Not only were the nights at the St. Patrick’s shelter feel-good experiences, they opened my eyes in real time to moments of crisis when a family or an individual needs help the most.
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