Volunteers 'would rather give back'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Jim Daniel and his family could have stayed home and simply opened their presents, watched television and relaxed on Christmas Day. Instead, for the "fifth or sixth year," they've gone to Mel Trotter Ministries and helped serve food to those less fortunate.

"It would just not feel right not to be here," said his wife, Rosie. Their daughter, Kamera, and son, Kristian, also came down.

"I like coming down here better than getting our own presents," she said. "I would rather give back than get anything."

About 30 volunteers spent their Christmas where their hearts called them, and for Sandra Geddy of Mel Trotter Ministries , the help is appreciated.

"We still see the need for food and emergency shelter increasing throughout the area," she told 24 Hour News 8.

There are 1.6 million homeless people in the United States, and the need for help goes well beyond the holiday season.

People like Adrian Gillespie find help through Mel Trotter. He's spent some time on the streets, he's been in and out of jail and he said he was headed down the wrong track. But since being a resident at Mel Trotter, he said he hopes he can make better decisions going forward.

"It's a mean world out there and being here, where you are safe from all the ills of the world, it is special," he said.

Mel Trotter officials say you should never underestimate what help you can give. They always need mentors, people that will come in and help serve, help clean and help in the retail store.

"So we have many ways that people can get connected and we welcome people to give of themselves in any type of way that they can," Geddy said.

For Jim Daniel, it's about passing on a set of values.

"Family is important," he said, "but it's more important to give back."