Instead of a “regular” editorial cartoon, we’ve decided the spirit of Christmas that was on display Sunday night is a fitting message for today. The Jolly Old Elf from the North Pole made an early stop at AMI Kids near Georgetown.
Bob Morin, a Pawleys Island resident, volunteers with the home for kids who have made some sort of mistake in their lives. He and his wife Barbara have 32 “kids” who live at the campus off U.S. Highway 17 South. The couple invited a number of their friends from Georgetown and Pawleys Island to throw a party for the kids.
The evening started out with about a dozen folks bearing lit candles, gifts and singing “Silent Night” as they made their way into the darkened dining hall at AMI Kids.
Staff at AMI had already served their kids salad for the evening. The visitors brought along pizza, soft drinks, cakes, cookies, cup cakes and more.
Jokes flew as Morin shared some brain teasers with the guys. There was a serious demeanor as Morin — a board member for AMI Kids — read the Christmas story to the youngsters.
Then — Ta-Da — as the volunteers sang “Silent Night,” along came Santa Claus.
He and the volunteers distributed gifts to the kids. Much of the funding for the gifts came through the generosity of donors to St. Christopher’s Children.
A clerk at Wal-Mart asked about what was up with the carts full of shirts, pants, boys’ underwear and other things. Morin said we’ll be wrapping these gifts at St. Mary’s Church for the AMI Kids tomorrow morning.
The clerk — who didn’t know any of the other volunteers — showed up and helped wrap the 150 presents for the guys.
Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus.
That spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Georgetown County, not just in the churches of all denominations and religious traditions, but in the minds and hearts of men and women who wanted to help these young guys know the love of their fellow man.
Several of the AMI Kids stood and gave thanks to “Mr. Bob” and the others who took time on Sunday night to throw a party for them. They know that none of these folks had to do it, but they did.
And the kids wished them a Merry Christmas.
“We get so much more from these kids,” Barbara Morin said.
•••
If you’d like to help out with these kids, there are plenty of opportunities. The boys range up to 14 to 16 or so years of age. Clothing, books, food and more would be greatly appreciated. Teaching, sharing, coaching, just spending time …
Call AMI Kids-Georgetown at (843) 546-5478 to find out how you can help.
Leave a Response
Notice about comments:
Gtowntimes.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Gtowntimes.com cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not gtowntimes.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here.
