This year’s Winter Holiday General Meeting has a decidedly holiday theme—good company, tasty food, and caring for the less fortunate. Neighbors are encouraged to share some holiday desserts (or any dish of your choosing) with each other, catch up on the latest neighborhood happenings, and learn about a unique approach to helping the homeless. Headlining the evening will be a representative from Give Tokens, a local charitable organization that provides tokens that are good for food, clothing, shelter, haircuts, transportation, laundry service, and more, while striving to buoy spirits in the process. Last summer, BWNA Board member Grant Sprick arranged for leftover food from the National Night Out Picnic to be donated to Give Tokens.
Here’s an excerpt from the GiveTokens.org Web site: “We’ve all heard the reasons why not to give to the homeless; but what can you give them instead? What is it they need? We… believe what the homeless need most is face-to-face compassion…They’re hurting and need to know you care about them.”
Noshing and socializing commence at 7:00pm on Monday, December 9th, at Bethany Lutheran Church, corner of NE 37th Avenue and Skidmore Street, across the street from Wilshire Park. (Enter down the walkway on the Skidmore side of the church.) In addition to the Give Tokens presentation, a local police officer will offer a crime report (fielding questions and concerns as well), neighborhood issues will be discussed and evaluated for possible action by the BWNA Board, and 2014 events and projects will be reviewed. Followed, of course, by more noshing and socializing.
It’s an opportunity to take time out from the busy holiday schedule, relax with neighbors, and do your part to make our neighborhood an even better place to live.
Mark this special event on your calendar now.