At 6 a.m. on a cold, crisp Christmas morning, nearly 150 Girl Scouts from the Columbia River Council were on hand to greet and serve breakfast to more than 750 homeless people in Portland’s Pioneer Square. This was the 18th year that the Girl Scouts have hosted this holiday event benefiting Portland’s most needy.
Heather Law, the coordinator for this event, said that more than 300 volunteers (nearly all either current or former Girl Scouts) offered their time to give something back to the community. Besides hundreds of hearty meals of sausage, eggs, hash browns and pancakes, over a ton of clothing and several dozen children’s gifts were handed out.
It’s quite amazing to see how well-organized this event is, considering the huge number of eager attendees, who invariably go away with full bellies, packed sacks and smiles on their faces. It’s equally amazing to witness the incredible enthusiasm and joy demonstrated by the girls who volunteered for this meaningful event.
Five-year-old Emma, one of the youngest Girl Scouts present, could barely contain her excitement at being able help so many people. She told me that she was especially happy to be there, even though she had been “volunteered” by her mom.
On a day when so many of us huddle at home to celebrate our own blessings, it’s a special gift indeed when so many choose to share their good fortune with those who would otherwise have no Christmas.
