As Christmas approaches, Angel's Closet is preparing to give toys to more than the 695 children it did last year, its director, Gilbert Portela, said this morning.
To help get a new shipment of toys organized, youth from different churches in the area came to help sort them and place them on shelves for an orderly display of the bounty donated to the ministry.
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“I greatly appreciate what you guys are doing today,” Portela told the volunteers, giving a brief history of the ministry — it roots beginning at Medlin School and its eventual move to Roanoke Avenue.
The ministry has already helped 1,075 families and 1,792 children this year. The number of families helped this year has already surpassed last year's total of 1,045. It helped 2,441 children last year, the help to children and families coming in the form of school supplies, food, clothing, bedding and toys. “Angel's Closet is not about me,” he told the volunteers. “It's about getting people to come together and help those without.”
Portela talks to the volunteers.
Starting in 11 classrooms at Medlin, Portela explained the new location on the avenue has been more successful than what he could have imagined. “It can't be done without the help of the community. If you get anything out of this, know you're doing God's work and feel good about what you're doing today … Never forget there are people who need your assistance.”
Before the most of the volunteers came in this morning, Becker Village Mall owner Ellen Heaton, who organized the help from church volunteers, said the mall is also helping Angel's Closet by being a collection point for a canned food drive. The cans are being shaped into a Christmas tree in front of Encore, Décor and More. She said she wants to see the can tree grow to 6 feet high before giving the goods to Angel's Closet.
As the volunteers began their work, Christina Evans, who goes to South Rosemary United Methodist Church, was organizing a bag of stuffed animals. “It's really to do something to help someone else.”
Maye places an animal.
Joe Maye, who goes to Bethlehem Baptist Church, was organizing dolls and Tonka trucks. “We have a lot of people in the community in need. I feel as a church family, we are required to do that.”
Taking a break from organizing the food pantry, Daniel Clay, who also goes to Bethlehem Baptist, said, “I love it, just to help the community. I enjoy it.”
Clay said it was also a way to inspire his children. “I try to show them there's more important things than video games and toys.”
Stocking the food pantry.
The outpouring from the community has touched Potela's heart in the six years he has been running the ministry. “It's a blessing to me to help people in the community. It's where I find my strength.”
Reaching out to people in seven counties, Portela said the economy isn't the only thing driving the need, which will set record numbers for people helped this year. “We helped tornado victims and those from Hurricane Irene.”
If the tornado and hurricane weren't enough, Portela said, “Fifteen families have lost most, if not everything, through fire.”
In anticipation of the need this Thanksgiving and Christmas, Angel's Closet, which is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, will be extending it hours of operation by an hour. For more information call Portela at 252-326-3236.
