My name is Ross Meskin, I am on the advisory board for Jimmy’s Kids. Jim Tuman and I have had many discussions about Jimmy’s Kids thru the years, and especially recently, regarding the silica dust issue that destroyed over 6,000 pounds ($30,000) of toys and gifts destined for under-served children in Detroit. Many people would have thrown in the towel, resigned that Jimmy’s Kids would not be able to pass out holiday cheer in 2019. But Jim is just not built that way, and I love him for that.
I have trouble putting into words how much Jimmy’s Kids means to my family and the Detroit Community at large. My family has been volunteering with Jimmy’s Kids for the past 5 years. Passing out presents on Christmas morning has become our most treasured holiday tradition. My favorite part of this wonderful event is the moment we pull up to the church parking lot early Christmas morning to see a HUGE mob of people from every walk of life, every ethnic group, religious group, rich, poor, black, white all crowded into a church parking lot in the middle of downtown Detroit on a cold wet morning, for no other reason than to hand out a bag of gifts to total strangers. This scene always warms my soul.
It reminds me that there are so many good people in our community with love in their hearts. Every one of those people could be sleeping in on their holiday, or spending time opening presents, warm in their homes. Instead they make a choice to get up early and brave the cold and the snow to make Christmas morning special for children they have never met. This wonderful outpouring of kindness is in such contrast to the negativity we see daily in the media, the bullying on social media, and the divisiveness in our nation’s political, religious and social issues.
I love that my children see this every year and participate happily in this fantastic holiday tradition. I have no doubt that I am a better father and business man because of my participation in Jimmy’s Kids. I am comforted when my kids tell me that their favorite part of Christmas is our mornings spent with Jimmy’s Kids. Their participation ensures they will be more caring, empathetic citizens. Imagine what our world would be like, if every community had leaders like Jim, followed by crowds of people clamoring to help others on cold winter mornings. I am so proud of the work that Jimmy’s Kids does on Christmas morning, but I am even more proud of the effect it has on the other 364 days of the year. When I heard that Jimmy’s Kids needed our help, I was eager to lend a hand and hope others do the same.
I can’t wait for Christmas morning!
Happy Holidays,
Ross Meskin
Click here to donate now: http://jimmyskids.com
Jimmy Tuman Blog 