Back in my younger years, before marriage and before family, I loved serving with The Salvation Army in downtown San Diego via meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I would get up super early to mentally prepare, drive its crazy streets, to arrive on location with dozens of other volunteers ready to serve. We would receive instructions on how to serve, and soon after that, the event would start.

The line of people that had wrapped around the blocks, for the meals and goodies, would start coming in. The lines were people – individuals and families – here for a meal but we hoped to give them so much more. Anyone could come for these meals served by volunteers, but most that came were homeless or those who have hit very hard times.  No one would be turned away. For many, this would be the only “real” meal for awhile or the only thing to eat for the day. Knowing and seeing this, I did my best to help ensure their moment at the table would be memorable.

The simple things such as a smile, the sweet tone when replying to their questions or requests for extra creamer or sugar to their coffee, the extra second to personally interact with them; all these things, made for a meal more memorable. Thousand of mouths fed and thousands of hearts filled (my heart included) each and every time and every event I got to volunteer.

After about 6 hours of serving for the day, the feet sure tired out but it did not matter.  I was in my early 20s and soon the achy feet would fade and the fullness of my heart uncontainable. What hasn’t faded, even after more than a decade later, is the love I had for each and everyone I had the privilege to serve. I did this for a few years (serving Thanksgiving and Christmas meals) and hope to do it again when my kids are a little bit older.

I woke up this morning and see that in a little way, through a big shovel of a company known as Origami Owl, I get to be a part of helping The Salvation Army again. Origami Owl, who is committed to being a Force For Good and giving back to those in need, month after month is proud to support The Salvation Army this month to help bring joy, hope and happiness to so many – veterans, homeless men, women and children, and the list goes on.

If you’ve ever seen one of their Christmas celebrations they do for those in need, you would be floored. It goes beyond the warm meal. It is a sight to be seen for yourself.

When you purchase either of these inspirational looks this month, $1 from each look purchased will benefit The Salvation Army. Your dollar will do amazing things. Whether you are a purchaser of these lockets or there on site serving a meal or coffee or giving a toy, you will make a difference in the lives of others. None of the great things would be possible without the funds and the time donated.

Today, you can be a part of it with Origami Owl http://locketsandcharms.origamiowl.com

They not only have meals for holidays but also provide meals and nutritional services to seniors throughout San Diego County and beyond.  You can check out http://salvationarmy.org to see what they are doing, how you can help in your local community, and how they have impacted the world around you.

If you are interested in doing more and volunteering and serving meals with the Salvation Army in downtown San Diego, you can sign up to do so here for Christmas, December 25, 2017 http://sandiego.salvationarmy.org/san_diego2/christmas-dinner-volunteer/