Our chance to help save Tender Loving Christmas
One of a very few people who truly ought to be considered for sainthood out here in the hi-desert, Mara Cantelo, died this past September.
Mara, the incredibly energetic and convincing founder and force behind Tender Loving Christmas, an annual event that brought the real Christmas spirit to thousands of hi-desert residents over 34 years, had died alone in her home in Joshua Tree. The woman who worked so much magic and brought so much warmth and kindness to so many people's lives, lived a life where even when she was enduring serious health problems, days would go by without someone to check on her.
But knowing Mara, she wouldn't want folks to focus on how she left this world, but rather how we could help continue to host the Christmas event she founded that was designed to make sure nobody was ever alone, hungry, or forgotten on Christmas. Her efforts led to large Christmas buffets where anyone could attend and have as much of a Christmas feast as they desired. There were free toys for children, with volunteers driving meals for humans and pets to those homebound across the hi-desert. There were household items delivered to nursing homes, and sleeping bags given out to the homeless.
At last count, more than 3,000 people would be fed on Christmas Day thanks to Mara and those inspired by her, and thousands of toys lit up the day thanks to her efforts, rivaling that Old St. Nick fella, who always showed up to help celebrate with her. It was as if her heart could not get bigger. Even through cancer and congestive heart failure, her spirit brought people together to create the miracle of Christmas.
And now, it's up to us to decide whether Mara's legacy is one that should continue.
On Friday, November 3, there will be a community meeting in the Cholla Room of the Yucca Valley Community Center (the Town of Yucca Valley has been a strong supporter of TLC's Christmas dinners over the years) at 6 p.m. (to approximately 7:30 p.m.) to determine if there is enough support from the community to continue with Tender Loving Christmas and its meals, toys, entertainment, and good cheer.
Volunteers are needed, as is the interest of families, non profit organizations, churches, entertainers, cooks, drivers, restaurants, shops, and regular folks who may be able to help prepare for, and participate in, this year's TLC event.
The meeting organizers have stressed that if they cannot come up with a solid commitment to ensure TLC continues, there will be no further efforts to continue this community holiday tradition.
If you'd like to support TLC's efforts but need more information or cannot make it to the meeting, but want to participate, please contact Paul Hoffman at (760)365-1643, or email paul_hoffman@roadrunner.com.
Should TLC gather the volunteer support necessary to continue, we will be assisting with fundraising and public awareness for this year's event.
Let's make it a very, merry Christmas.
