My Experience as a Volunteer (part 2 - Turkeys in Detroit)

Last year I joined my friends Adam and Devan in passing out turkeys in Detroit for Christmas. We passed out the turkeys through their church, Calvary Assembly of God in Gibraltar, Michigan. In addition to turkeys we had several large boxes of clothes to distribute. One of the parishioners owns a business on the east side and also runs a church service out of his warehouse. The plan was pretty simple: people come in and get some clothes, they then get a turkey, then they can pray with some of the organizers if they so incline. It's important to note that people did NOT have to pray or be prayed for in order to receive the clothes or turkeys.

All in all, things went extremely well. It was great to see that there were many people who were extremely grateful to recieve the items and could have a great Christmas dinner. That doesn't mean that everyone was grateful though, and I'd say there was really three distinct types of people that we served at the food bank.

1. The truly grateful - The ones you want to give the bigger turkeys to. These people just wanted to have a good dinner and get some warm clothes, especially for their kids.

2. The grumpily unsatisfiable - These were the people that pushed through the line to see the clothes and then complained when they couldn't find what they wanted. When we handed them a turkey thy asked for a second turkey or a bigger one (we didn't comply). These people had a need for clothes and turkeys but were rude and pushy about it.

3. The professional handout receiver - This was the smallest group of people, and the most frustrating. These people had their own collapsible wire baskets so they would be able to get the biggest haul. They'd quickly sort through he clothes for name brands and expensive looking items. They'd settle for nothing but the biggest turkey. (Well, really they did, but not without protest. I may be dramatizing a bit, but only a little.) This third group had no interest in praying or being prayed for. Said one of the group: "I have ten thousand people waiting for me at home, I don't have time for this".

Despite the free loaders of group 3, it was still a fulfilling experience. We ran out of turkeys part way through, but took down names so those that didn't get a turkey could come back and get one the next week (from the guy who owned the warehouse). In the end we had helped about one hundred families get some warmth and dinner. The sense of pride and accomplishment overcame the frustration and disappointment of some of the greedier individuals.

It was a bit of an eye opening experience. I work in Detroit and know what life can be like in some of the poorer neighborhoods but it was a bit surprising that so many families could be in such need of help in such a small area. We were not serving the city of Detroit, only a very small percentage of it. One neighborhood, maybe two, no more than a square mile or so. After donating my time to pass out these turkeys I wonder if there was a single person in that neighborhood who was 'making it' - that is earning enough of a living to maintain a basic quality of life.

I've often struggled with donations in general. My fear that the type of people I described in group number 3 will be the sole recipients of my money. After giving out turkeys I have changed my mind. After seeing how much the people of group 1 not only needed the help but appreciated it, I realize that you need to do everything you can to help them, in spite of whomever may also benefit. It's said that 'it's better for ten guilty men to go free than for one innocent man to be wrongly imprisoned.' That's how I feel about charity now - you need to help those that need it, even if a large part is helping those that don't deserve it.

So I hope everyone out these takes a look at their neighborhood or checks with their local government or religious groups to see what they can do to help. Maybe you can donate your clothes, maybe you can leave some money, maybe you can volunteer your time. Whatever it is, I found out first hand that there's plenty of people out there who can use your help.

Update - Schedule

WOW, an update. Sorry to my adoring fans, for being so busy lately. What a hectic holiday season I've been having. But I did make a few New Years Resolutions and one of them is to update this blog ASAP. Shame on me.

I have two experiences I need to finish writing up on. One is my experience passing out Turkeys in Detroit for Christmas dinner with my friends' church. This one should be up this weekend or early next week at the latest. The second is my experience at a pagan ceremony. It was such a unique cultural and religious experience that I want to make sure I do it proper justice with my blog about it. I've not had the time to sit and write a lengthy blog about it yet, but it is coming. I've meandered my way through The Illustrated Guide to Wicca - The Secrets of Witchcraft Revealed and I am one or two questions away from being able to put all my thoughts to computer.

I also have an experience or two on the table, including with the Michigan Militia and a Wild Shamanism teacher and dance instructor!

So thank you for your patience, please help spread the word about my little blog. (I said I wouldn't start really promoting until I had 5 'experiences' but that doesn't mean you can't!). also look for some updates to the blog itself in terms of relevant information and what have you.

Thanks again, I'm looking forward to experiencing some great new things in 2011.