EDITOR’S NOTE: As the holiday season kicks into high gear, the LGBT community of North Texas once again is responding in a variety of ways to help out those who are less fortunate.
This week Dallas Voice profiles five events intended to raise funds or other donations for a number of different causes. But the community’s good will doesn’t end with these events.
If you know of an individual, business or organization that is holding or participating in a charitable holiday event or effort, email the information to editor@dallasvoice.com.
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Colleen Darraugh
This year for the sixth year, Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Dallas is collecting coats for the homeless.
The first delivery will go to clients of AIDS Interfaith Network, said the Rev. Colleen Darraugh, MCCGD pastor. Of people with AIDS in Dallas, that organization’s clients are among the most at-risk and most likely to be homeless, she said.
Darraugh said that the annual coat drive has expanded this year to include sweats, hoodies and socks.
“A dry pair of socks can make all the difference,” she said.
The church kicked off its holiday season of giving by participating in Saturday Night Live at AIN, in which a group prepared a weekend supper for clients and provided entertainment. After dinner, the 27 volunteers sent AIN’s clients home with bags of granola bars, apples and oranges in addition to leftovers.
Darraugh said the need is so great, members of the church by themselves can’t provide everything AIN’s clients need.
“So we’re asking people to ask neighbors and co-workers to contribute,” she said.
They are collecting items every Sunday at the church at 1840 Hutton Drive #100 in Carrollton.
Anyone who would like to help with delivery is welcome to join. Darraugh said they have a borrowed horse trailer that they expect to be filled with items. After stopping at AIN near downtown Dallas, they will distribute items to people living on the street.
But Darraugh said the need doesn’t end at Christmas, and the church will continue collecting items to make a January delivery as well.
She said that especially those not staying in a shelter often lose what little they have when they leave their items unattended.
To arrange to make a donation during the week, to participate in the delivery of items to the homeless or for more information, call the church at 972-243-0761.
— David Taffet
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition December 2, 2011.
