Homeless Families Enjoy Mississippi College Christmas Dinner Dec. 15
Director of MC Gore Galleries Randy Jolly as Santa Claus
This is the fourth year in a row the MC Art Department and students from the Kappa Pi art honorary will host the visitors from the Wingard Home in Jackson during the holidays.
Randy Jolly, director of the Gore Galleries, is back by popular demand as Santa Claus when the group of adults and children returns for the Christmas feast. Sodexo, the company that cooks and serves meals in the MC cafeteria, is supplying the food once again at Anderson Hall in the B.C. Rogers Student Center.
"The whole experience was a boost to my holidays," Jolly recalled about last year's event at the Christian university. "The children's expressions and the hugs were a delight."
The idea, he said, "of giving these children an experience they will remember, full of joy and hope, added to my Christmas."
The Wingard Home has ministered to the homeless and needy of Jackson since 1990. The home shelter up to 40 people. The Wingard Home houses women, children, pregnant teens, men and whole families who are living in dire financial straits or were abandoned.
Revs. Roy and Charlotte Wingard, who operate the home, are always looking for volunteers to pitch in. "You are always welcome to come and share your talents and the love of Jesus with the homeless folks at Wingard Home," they say. "We bring the good news of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation to a hurt and dying world."
MC graphic arts coordinator Michael Hataway has been involved with helping the group since the early years of the private non-profit ministry.
He's delighted to see Mississippi College play a big part again this year. He's been meeting with folks at Sodexo to plan the event. The doors will open around 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 15.
MC students and art faculty plus other helpers around the Clinton campus will serve the meals that evening with Christmas just around the corner.
During the first three years of the MC event, Hataway's mother-in-law, Carolyn Tabb of Raymond, has donated dozens of bears, dogs and other toys.
"I get tears in my eyes every year I work it," Hataway said. "This is one way to give back to them."
A former Hinds Community College art professor who's worked for years in law enforcement, Hataway uses his office at Aven Hall as toy headquarters for a few days until the items get delivered to the children. Coloring books will also go to the kids.
Residents at the Wingard Home on North West Street must be willing to seek jobs and follow house rules. With the U.S. economy in bad shape with the jobless rate exceeding 10 percent, Wingard Home is struggling and needs a helping hand. The group receives donations from individuals, private foundations and corporations.
Hataway says volunteers are always needed at the MC event. Servers should wear white shirts and dark slacks. The evening at Mississippi College will be a blessing to those who turn out to show their support for the Wingard Home, organizers say.
Roy and Charlotte Wingard can relate to the people they serve. The Mississippi couple was homeless in the Atlanta area in the late 1980s.
They are looking forward to Tuesday Dec. 15. The annual event "at MC makes them feel special," Charlotte Wingard said Monday. "To be waited on and have the Christmas atmosphere, it makes our Christmas," she added.
"When they come out there the (MC) people make it a big deal. It kicks off the whole Christmas week for us," Wingard said. "When you are homeless it is hard to get into that mood."
For more information on the Wingard Home at 1279 North West Street, Jackson, call 601.355.9589 or go to www.wingardhome.org.
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