MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Christmas is a day many of us spend around the dinner table with family and friends, but some enjoy a tradition of helping those less fortunate.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross gave the gift of a hot meal this Christmas at three local churches and a fourth meal in Andrews on Christmas Eve.
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Myrtle Beach was the largest venue for the 27th annual event.
“This is probably one of the best ways I can think of spending my holiday,” said volunteer Debbie Conner.
Conner has spent the past ten years lending a helping hand to the Red Cross during it’s Christmas day dinner.
“My daughter is the one who got us started back when she was in sixth grade,” said Conner.
Kayla Conner, Debbie’s daughter, came home from school one day and told her parents she wanted to do volunteer work, in Africa.
“My mom told me I couldn’t got to Africa until I helped out in the community,” said Kayla. So she started a coat drive and eventually collected more than 1,000 coats.
“We didn’t know where to put them all,” said Kayla. After a few phone calls the Conner’s got in touch with the Red Cross.
“We helped start the coat drive that they do here at the Orthodox Church and ever since we just come and helped out on Christmas Day,” she said.
10 years later Kayla is a Senior at USC, but keeps the tradition alive.
This Christmas she stayed busy getting presents wrapped and ready, that children in need could take home with them.
“All kids need to believe in Santa Claus, especially at that young age; but most of them can’t because their parents can’t afford it or something financially has happened,” she said.
Wendy Glass is one of those parents down on her luck, “I got laid off, so we don’t have the means to do a big Christmas this year”
Glass says she’s thankful for the support she’s received, “its amazing that people took the time out to do this for the less fortunate people.”
It’s a lesson she hopes to pass on to her own kids, “we want them to know what Christmas is and that its not really all about the gifts but at least they get a gift,” said Glass.
For Debbie Connor, that’s what the holiday season is all about, “this is what keeps Christ in Christmas for me, is serving others. There’s not anything better that you could do.”
The people at the Red Cross say they served more than 7,000 meals at four locations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
