By Paige Pelonis, CityHeART Executive Director
Christmas Eve at CityHeART wasn’t supposed to be a busy evening. The Resource Hub had officially closed for the holidays, but the spirit of service doesn’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule (or a 10am-2pm schedule like we do, for that matter). Two veterans in need of emergency food boxes brought me back to the hub that evening, and what could have been a quick transaction turned into something much deeper.
One of the veterans, after receiving his items, lingered for a while over a hot cup of coffee while sharing pieces of his story with me. He spoke of his travels across the state, painting vivid pictures of places he’d been and the experiences that shaped him. But what struck me most was the way his face lit up when he spoke about his mother and grandmother. These two women, tough as nails, had a profound impact on his life.
His words carried a mix of reverence and gratitude, a reminder of the incredible influence strong, loving women can have.
While he talked with pride and unmistakable joy about the remarkable talent his grandmother had as a dancer and stage performer, I felt a pang of Christmas heartache for my own grandmother. I often say that my Grandma Baa basically was Christmas for my family, and she also had a love of music and dance; I felt deeply connected and grateful for this moment to share with my new friend how much I would love to hear my grandmother play the piano on Christmas night one more time.
As he and his friend left CityHeART that night, their arms were full of bags packed with food, hygiene items, a poinsettia, a small artificial Christmas tree for their homes, and even some holiday candy.
I had returned to work that evening with plans to do a little extra giving before closing up for the holiday; and yet, it felt like somehow I was the one leaving with the real gifts.
We’d shared a moment of connection, one that brought me long-lasting warmth and meaning to an otherwise quiet holiday evening.
For me, it was a reminder of why we do what we do at CityHeART: not just to meet physical needs, but to create spaces where stories are shared, humanity is acknowledged, and lives are uplifted, even on Christmas Eve, when the world feels still and quiet, and a simple conversation can carry the weight of a gift.
