Christians, Jews and Muslims band together to bring holiday joy to families
ROYAL OAK, MI, December 2015 — Setting aside cultural and ideological differences in the spirit of giving this holiday season, one thousand volunteers will gather on Christmas morning to bring holiday cheer to families in SW Detroit. The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and United Council of Islamic Societies are joining with several Christian Organizations and area churches to assist youth advocate, Jim Tuman and his Jimmy’s Kids Christmas Morning Program.
Tuman and his non profit, Jimmy’s Kids, collected food, clothing, toys and other gifts for the Christmas Morning Program that volunteers will deliver to tens of thousands of Metro Detroit’s “forgotten” children — those who may be in-need or emotionally or physically challenged. Volunteers will follow a semi-truck filled with gifts to SW Detroit, then surprise 500 families with a special delivery on the morning of Dec. 25.
“I’ve been speaking in schools about the importance of kindness and relationships for many years, and realized that some children and their families were not were not able to afford a Christmas celebration, because they were falling through the cracks of the system.” said Tuman. “In 1988 we took toys to 22 children, and this year we will serve 25,000. The volunteers get such joy from this experience that they come back every year. We even have people travel from Europe to join us.”
This year, volunteers from two-dozen Metro Detroit churches will join volunteers from Islamic associations and masques, Jewish Federation and synagogues.
“If you want to feel the real spirit of the season, come and join us for this very special experience,” said Tuman.
Volunteers will gather Christmas morning 9:00am at Stephen Lutheran Church, 1235 Lawndale, Detroit. For more information, visit jimmyskids.com
Jimmy Tuman Blog 