More than 500 Jews
turned out on Christmas
Day to prepare, deliver and
serve food, to entertain
shut-ins and to learn lessons
in the joys of kindness at
more than 40 local agencies
that would otherwise be
left shorthanded by the
Christian holiday.

The Jewish News asked four
of the volunteers in the
annual event, organized by
the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit, to
keep a journal of their
experiences. Here are the
reports from Terri Cassels,
Gary Cooper, Stuart Sakwa
and Beth Goldberg.

Photos by DAN LIPPITT

Above: Gary Cooper helps unload a Meals on Wheels van.
Right: Terri Cassels delivers a Christmas dinner

Diary Of A Volunteer Journey

Gary — 6 a.m.
It is early on Christmas morning. I
assume I am rising no earlier than the
Christmas celebrants in every neigh-
borhood throughout the Detroit area,
in their rush to experience the joys of
a beautiful holiday with their families.
As I rise, I am also thinking of the
people we soon will visit, as part of this
year's volunteer group with the Meals
on Wheels program. Though the peo-
ple we will visit are alone, I hope we
can make their day a little less lonely.

6:50 a.m.
Gary
I pick up Terri, who is today my "Site

—

Gary Cooper is a real estate developer at
Grand Sakwa Properties; Terri Cassels is
the director of Cheer! Michigan, which
trains cheerleaders and their coaches.

1/1

1999

2 Detroit Jewish News

Coordinator." She is, as always, excit-
ed (even though it is 6:50 a.m.),
cheerful (even though it is 17 degrees
outside) and organized (even though
there are 60 people in our group
awaiting her direction). We drive in
darkness to the Max Fisher Building
to join the other volunteers and final-
ize our plans for the day over warm
bagels and fresh coffee.

of elderly couples,
who are probably
volunteering for the
10th Christmas in
10 years. It is a
smooth operation
and cooperative
effort. A wonderful
celebration of the
human spirit!

7:40 a.m.
Terri
As our volunteers check in, I am
struck by the generosity of our com-
munity and the sense of fellowship at
the Federation. I most appreciate the
parents who bring their children and
use this experience as a way of teach-
ing the joy and necessity of giving to
others.
I am also impressed by the number

9:11 a.m.
Gary
We arrive at the Detroit Association of
Women's Clubs on Brush Street, near
the downtown Cultural Center. This
is the meeting place for our group
from the Federation and others from
the area. We are young and old,
Jewish and gentile, black and white.
The conversation buzzes with per-
sonal greetings (some re-acquain-

—

—

(-\

tances, some introductions) as well as

logistical and follow-up instructions
from the efficient Women's Clubs
staff. We receive the names and
addresses of the recipients of the
Christmas dinners we will deliver,
along with greeting cards from local
students and our own good wishes.
The camaraderie grows as a human
chain is formed to load the meals.

VOLUNTEER JOURNEY on p:Ige 24