Spring Valley church leaders hold annual Christmas outreach for neighbors, rich or poor
The church's new pastor, Cedric McCoy, does not want the community to think the church's outreach projects are just for homeless people. The church does not even use the word "homeless" anymore in its newsletters and flyers.
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A Rockland church congregation provided more than 200 free meals and gifts to people who are struggling this holiday season, even those who might not seem it, as its massive annual Christmas outreach evolves.
Sisters Imani, Heaven and Nevaeh Green spent much of Christmas morning in a room at First Baptist Church in Spring Valley wrapping more gifts than they opened earlier in the day.
The gifts — coats, toys and hygiene products — went along with the hot meals and pantry items for everyone who came through the church's doors on Christmas.
No screening.
No questions asked.
The Green sisters said they were here Thursday to help anyone — rich or poor — who needed it, and to learn about life.
"If you even take 30 minutes out of your whole day to help them it could change a child's whole life," Heaven, 14, said, "so I think that's a lot fulfilling for kids who are fortunate, too."
In the next room, just before the event started, church leaders were coordinating a transportation for guests and meal deliveries for homebound seniors.
The church's new pastor Cedric McCoy does not want the community to think the church's outreach projects are just for homeless people.
The church does not even use the word "homeless" anymore in its newsletters and flyers.
"Even in life, everybody goes through something, right?," Rev. McCoy said. "It doesn't matter if you have money or you don't have money, if you have a house or if you don't have a house. All of us are human beings and we're made in God's image. We just do the best we can to be a beacon of light and a help to all."
George Tamraz attends the outreach each year. He said it is always a morale boost, especially this year.
Tamraz has been worrying lately about his mother's health.
"I believe in God and Christmas, and my family too," he said. "Right now my mom's in a nursing home, so we're figuring that out. Everything else [is] okay."
Rev. McCoy wants church members and visitors engaging to learn about each other's struggles.
He said those interactions are good for people in need of social interaction, and good for the church.
"The Bible says we're all things to all people," Rev. McCoy said. "It also says, 'By the grace of God, it could be us.'"
