Callen, G. (g_callen) wrote in omega_reality, @ 2010-12-24 11:17:00 |
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RP: Christmas Giving
Who: Everyone
Where: Lost Angels Youth Home
When: Saturday, December 25, 2010
Summary: Bringing Christmas to the less fortunate.
Never owe anyone anything.
It was another of those personal commandments G had learned to live by while on the street. It was something he didn't think had changed much. So, while Savannah had been teaching the youngest boy to skate, G had spoken to the two boys they'd paid the entry fee for at the ice rink, balancing the books by letting them trade information for the money spent. That information had been s short list of the homes and shelters the kids trusted, the ones run by people who believed in the work and didn't take advantage of the kids' dependence on their charity.
From that list, G had done his own research, eventually choosing Lost Angeles Youth Home as the place they'd take dinner and gifts as a group outing for Christmas. It was a small home, housing only about ten kids, run by a middle-aged married couple who offered support and shelter, but didn't force either psychology or religion down the kids' throats. They lived there with the kids and a couple volunteers, everything they had going into the home and the well-being of the kids.
It was as close as he could find to the home where he'd spent his last memorable Christmas.
Arriving promptly at eleven hundred, the team brought with them a full Christmas dinner -- turkey, ham, potatoes, breads, stuffing, puddings, vegetables, pies, cookies, -- along with some food storage to keep them going for a few days after. G had found a number of 'santa bags' to carry the gifts in and enough santa hats for the entire group. Thanks to Savannah, there were enough toys and games to keep even these kids occupied for days, though G had made certain there was enough similarity to keep jealousy from being a problem. There were also clothes for all, as well as some to put away for the kids who would come later. There was always a later.
But, before they could distribute food and clothing, there was one visit that had to be made first.
G hadn't told any of the team what he was doing, not even Sam. Watching those kids' eyes light up when G entered the main common room dressed as Santa to pass out the toys Savannah had picked out, he didn't really care if he was going to take ribbing for it from the others. He spent a good half hour passing out toys and just talking to the kids, reminding them how special they were, how good.
After 'Santa' had to leave, G returned to help the others in passing out the practical items he'd insisted on bringing as well, then serving dinner to the kids before they could all share in it. This was the most important part -- spending time with the kids, rather than simply dropping off charity and going back to their cozy little base.