Dr Suess Is Right aka Christmas In Action

Christmas In The Corn Fields

of Belle Glade, Florida

Click HERE, for photos

Scroll down a few posts for additional photos.

Saturday, we participated in a Crop Gleaning Service Project with our Ward

(Church Congregation).

"The Saturday before Christmas? A Service Project in Belle Glade? In a Corn Field?"

These were the questions that came to my mind for a fleeting moment when this Service Project was announced a few months ago during Church Meetings. Within seconds, my thoughts immediately shifted to, "YES, The Saturday before Christmas...a Service Project IS CHRISTMAS."

Over 100 Members of my Ward headed to Belle Glade, FL (Western Palm Beach County) on Saturday to Glean the crops. What is Gleaning, you may ask?

The farmer had already mechanically harvested the corn, leaving corn stalks about 3 feet high with plenty of corn waiting to be picked.

This is where our Project came in. Under the direction of C.R.O.S. Ministries, we hand-picked (gleaned) enough corn to fill a large Box Truck.

Where did the corn go? It was delivered to a local food bank to help feed needy residents of Palm Beach County.

Each Saturday, during the harvest season (November-April), C.R.O.S Ministries supervises this gleaning operation at various locations in the Belle Glade area. Many of the local farmers support the Food Banks by generously donating rows of crops that have been mechanically harvested for gleaning.

As I worked along side children and teens, I was able to discuss with them the fact that many people we know are wrapping gifts, out shopping, home baking, etc. in preparation for Christmas.

I explained to the children that what we were doing was the best preparation for Christmas we could ever do. We were the LIVING the Christmas Spirit, as we plucked one ear of corn at a time. Knowing I was helping others who may go without food and other basic necessities prepared my heart for Christmas more than any Christmas activity this season.

This Day Was Christmas In Action.

To loosely quote Dr Suess...

...Christmas does not come from a store...

it can be found in a Corn Field on any given day...

Enjoy The Photos!

Merry Christmas.