INDIANAPOLIS — Allyson Whitby of Irvington, with two young children and one on the way, faced a decision at the start of the Christmas season.
“I had to make the choice this month — either pay the bills so they can have a roof over their heads, or presents,” she said. “Well, I had to keep a roof over their heads.”
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Thanks to the Cumberland Christmas Miracle, she and hundreds of others in similar situations were able to do both.
The annual event was held for the first time at the Walker Career Center in Indianapolis on Dec. 21. In one of the rooms, toys and clothes covered tables while Santa and Mrs. Claus visited with children. In the Threshold Restaurant across the hall, attendees enjoyed meals of turkey, ham, chicken, meatloaf, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, greens and green beans.
Denise Smith, as she has done in previous years, organized the event with help from the Cumberland Metropolitan Police Department, Warren Township School Police Department and scores of volunteers.
Smith expected the event to serve several hundred people.
“Hopefully some of the people that come through the door, this can ease their tension and stress for a gift for their child, and hopefully put a smile on their kid’s face,” she said.
She does much of the event’s cooking and shopping.
“I usually take four massive days and just shop,” she said. “I got to make a lot of carloads, go back and forth to the store a lot of times, but I get it done.”
Smith started the initiative out small years ago before watching it grow into what it is today.
“Every year it just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” she said.
She got the idea after coming across a young girl who was crying because she wanted to have Christmas.
“It hit my heart and I couldn’t deal with it,” Smith said. “Ever since then, I said, ‘I really don’t want to see anybody else without a Christmas.’”
Smith likes involving law enforcement in the event to foster strong ties between them and residents they serve.
“We all have to work and live together,” she said.
She was grateful for the officers’ and all the volunteers’ help.
“It’s about all of us coming together and making this happen for the community,” she said.
Cumberland Police Chief Suzanne Woodland recalled answering the phone at the station several years ago when Smith called shortly before Christmas with an abundance of food and a request for help distributing it. Woodland knew the department could help with its officers’ awareness of those in need in the neighborhoods they patrol. So they headed out, picked up the food and got it delivered.
The department continues to be involved as the event has grown. This year officers distributed fliers with the event’s details.
“The biggest thing they do is they’re able to identify people in need,” Woodland said.
They also help set up and break down before and after the event.
“It’s giving back,” Woodland said. “Denise does all of this herself, and for her to allow us to be part of this, it’s huge; it’s giving back to the community and that’s important.”
Woodland added she’s thankful for all the volunteers.
“This couldn’t happen if they weren’t helping,” she said.
As Whitby ate with her children, she praised local law enforcement’s participation in the event.
“It shows me that there are good cops out here,” she said. “That makes me feel safe and makes me feel like my kids are safe.”
The Hancock County Exchange Club volunteered in the initiative, including cooking turkeys for the meal.
Club members Jeff Young and Faith Martinez attended.
“We’re all about giving back to our communities,” Young said.
Their faith in Jesus Christ also drives them, he continued.
“That’s why we’re here,” he said. “We’re here to serve his people that need help. We really do believe in that.”
Martinez was pleased with the turnout.
“I’ve never seen so many volunteers in my life at one place,” she said. “It’s fantastic.”
One of them was Jim Lucas, a chaplain with the Cumberland Metropolitan Police Department. He and fellow New Life Church parishioners crewed the meal’s serving line and bused tables.
“It’s just being part of the community and being able to help out, contribute,” Lucas said.
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