On the Street Experience - Life group December 1, 2024

I began my journey with volunteering 7 or 8 years ago by taking the Alpha Course at Holy Family Church. With the encouragement of a woman I met at Alpha, I joined her Life Group and became the Outreach person looking for ways for our Life Group to put our faith into action. To make a long story short, I eventually met Lillian Mulder and our Life Group began supporting the work the St. Vincent de Paul Youth. We began by making Valentine cookies for the On The Street in February, obtaining sponsorship for long johns, hats, gloves, etc., making bagged lunches for the homeless and our newest project was making sewing kits for the On The Street Giveaway. This is the second year our Life Group will sponsor the Environmental/Social Justice workshops written and presented by the Youth, at four different Parishes in London. On Sunday, December 1st, 2024, I was putting on 3 pair of pants, 3 sweaters, 2 pair of socks, boots, hat, 2 pair of gloves in preparation to volunteer at the annual Christmas On The Street for the homeless and less fortunate. It was 2 degrees Celsius and overcast that day. As I am driving to the site, I found it difficult to move or walk with so many clothes on and thought how difficult it must be for homeless to function as well with so many clothes on to keep warm. I was outside in the elements for two hours maximum and my feet and fingers were cold. How do the homeless and less fortunate survive all day and night in these cold temperatures. I think it does our hearts and souls good to walk in other individuals shoes to truly understand what they experience daily.


Three volunteers attend the event from our Life Group called Servants of Hope- David, Rachel and myself. Before the event begins and at the end of the event, the volunteers gather together, say a prayer and are reminded that we are hear to serve the homeless and less fortunate. David, Rachel and I were assigned to the tables distributing Christmas stockings and encouraging the homeless to select what they would like in their Christmas stocking (handmade by volunteers) - Chocolate bar, candies, donuts, homemade cookies, etc. and wishing them a Merry Christmas. There was Christmas music with a guitar and Christmas Carollers which made for a festive atmosphere. The hundred or more individuals that we served were so appreciative and expressed their thanks for receiving something special for themselves for Christmas. David, Rachel and I have volunteered for many On The Street giveaways and the whole atmosphere is inspiring, kind, respectful and thoughtful of the needs of the homeless and less fortunate.


I am so impressed with the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Youth and their leaders who from September to December have completed 20 volunteer events and work tirelessly making a difference in our community. The Youth have 25 projects slated for January to June of 2025. The Youth are gaining experience, knowledge and exposure to worldly issues and challenges, which is setting them on the path to become the leaders of the future. I am so pleased that our Life Group is playing a part in and honoured to be part of supporting the St. Vincent de Paul Youth on their journey to become our future leaders.

Sharron Versaevel
Servants of Hope Life Group
Holy Family Parish