The christmas spirit.

Last night, a few friends and I met at Lake eola to have dinner with our homeless friends. There were about 70 people there. It was an absolute feast. Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, green been casserole, fruit salad, apples, brownies, donuts, cupcakes, cookies, cold drinks. After everyone was well fed, Jordan played some holiday music for us. It was great to see friends and share a holiday meal with them. As Jordan played I saw an old friend Phil sitting in the back of the crowd.

Phil is in his late 40's. He left for New Jersey about 8 months ago to work construction there. Work up north is seasonal, because of the cold weather and snow they are unable to poor concrete and continue building. He and many others migrate down to Florida for the winter. Hard times awaited him when he arrived. Dan, Phil's close friend, was also back from Kissimmee. The two are having trouble finding work. Its heart breaking, they want nothing more than to find work and get off the streets, but times are tough for everyone. It was very bitter sweet to see him.

We had a ton of food left over. Not wanting to let it waist we headed to the coalition. When we pulled up there were 7 or 8 people sleeping on the sidewalk covered up with blankets and sheets. We drove through the gate and told the guard we had food. He directed us to the kitchen (the back part of the pavilion) all across the campus people laid covered up to sleep for the night. We carried our left over food to the kitchen. As we walked in the back door I raised my eyes to see 300-400 men laying on the concrete floor. Some where passed out asleep. others fixing there "bedding" before they lay down. some were still sitting around talking. I followed the others, we stepped around a few men who were a sleep on the floor and dropped off the food. It was my first time at the pavilion when men were in it getting ready to sleep. A sight my eyes had never seen except for movies. I am still trying to process it. At least they didn't sleep on the streets right?


David Blackwell