Monthly Musings

December, 2010

"Yes Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus" His name is Jimmy Barker. His workshop is a big, old yellow house with a lot of fancy white trim here in Kennebunk. People call it "The Wedding Cake House". Every once in a while he opens his home to the public, giving tours to raise money to help people in need. Five years ago he raised money for the people in Louisiana most impacted by hurricane Katrina.

This summer Jimmy opened his home again for tours - this time raising money for local programs that distribute food to the hungry. A group of us from First Parish got to be his elves. He had no idea where the money would do the most good so he gave the money to us to give away for him. Barbara Delaney and I sat down with Carol Spaulding, Ginny Dimarco and Arlene Horne; people in the church who have been involved with feeding the hungry in our area for a long time. Together, we decided to distribute the funds as follows;

• The York County Shelter will receive $5000
• The Bon Appetite Soup Kitchen in Biddeford will receive $5000
• Community Harvest will receive $1000
• Town of Kennebunk Food Pantry will receive $500
• Church Community Outreach Thanksgiving Baskets will receive $500
• Food vouchers from Hannaford to be given out by the minister to those in need will receive $200
• $12,200 total being distributed

The balance of funds will be kept in reserve for projects as they arise. I know all of us who have had an opportunity to participate in this process are grateful to Mr. Barker for his generosity and for the opportunity to provide something as basic as food for those in need in our community. Santa Claus personifies the spirit of giving from a place of abundance and joy. I'm grateful to Mr. Barker for bringing that spirit to life in me this holiday season.

Faithfully Yours, Carol

---