Painesville pastor hosts Christmas party for underpri adidas hamburg vileged children with video
Painesville resident Maurice Gorham spent Saturday giving back to the man he credits with saving his life.
Gorham was among 18 people who volunteered at the Rev. Gerard Mirbel s eighth annual Toys Giveaway for children of parents who are incarcerated, unemployed or low income.
I m a member of the church, and I come here every year to help out, he said. I m an ex crackhead. The adidas hamburg man changed my life. He helped me get off drugs. He goes beyond what a normal pastor would do. Now I work at Lakeland Community College.
Before the event was even half over, more than 100 families had already stopped by the church, located on adidas hamburg West Jackson Street in Painesville. Party goers enjoyed hot dogs, cupcakes and popcorn, sat on Santa s lap, listened to Christmas carols and got to choose from a wide variety of toys to take home.
We are very happy the children were able to come and take what we provide for them, Mirbel said. It s a blessing. The children are so excited. They come and get food and find bags of toys. Christmas is for the children. I m so pleased that my wife and the volunteers help me wrap toys all week long, otherwise this would never happen.
Jacqueline Mirbel, the pastor s wife, said the kids were happy to see the guest of honor.
Santa came down, she said. He was ho ho ho ing, and the ki adidas hamburg ds were screaming and jumping and yelling. They were having a good time!
Although people were asked to pre register for the event, the church was able to accommodate several walk ins to come in and pick out toys and stuffed animals.
That made me happy because some of them didn t have anything for Christmas, she said. The greatest joy is seeing a child being blessed on Christmas.
Jacqueline added that members of the community are very grateful for the event, including a grandmother who comes each year because she and her husband are raising seven grandchildren because all of their sons are in jail.
