Houstonians volunteer this Christmas day

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Tis the season of giving right here in Houston. Volunteers served up hot holiday meals at two Salvation Army locations. We visited one of those locations, the Harbor Light Center on North Main.

It began with a prayer and then it led to the plates. Around 100 volunteers fed Houston's needy Tuesday, powered by the energy and spirit of dedicated volunteers.

"I've led such a good life. You have to give back to the community," said volunteer Tonia Scott. "To be truthful, most of us, we don't know where we're going to be tomorrow."

They came from as far away as Magnolia to play waiter and spend hours helping those less fortunate a little more comfortable.

"I've learned to be grateful for everything I have," said volunteer Jesse Watson. "I know I have presents for Christmas and they don't."

Jesse and his 13-year-old half sister, Joanne Sinclair, are learning important lessons about real life.

"To see that these people need help and they don't have homes," said Joanne. "To serve them, to have a good Christmas. Because we already have a good Christmas with our family."

And their mom, Peggy Sinclair, hopes the lessons last a lifetime.

"Christmas, sometimes, we're always thinking, 'What about me, what about me' and we need to put other people first," she said. "We haven't opened our presents yet. We came here first and then we're going to do our thing later."

More than 100 volunteers served Tuesday, either cooking or serving a hot meal. While the clients fill their stomachs, these giving Houstonians are fullling their own spiritual needs.

"It makes me feel so good and warm," said volunteer Nancy Wilson. "That's what Christmas is all about, giving."

They began preparing for this meal two weeks. In that time, 132 turkeys were cooked.

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local, mark garay

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