Summer 07
Vol. 12 No. 3

Holiday spirit visits employees
Departments' gift drives spread the season's joy

Nancy Rocha, SEARCH’s volunteer and community relations coordinator, left, and a volunteer load presents donated by the Controller’s Office on a rainy December morning. The Controller’s Office donations went to help the homeless and their children.

Story and photos by Dave Schafer

While St. Nick was still working his way along the western seaboard Christmas morning, Richard Waters was setting up a buffet line of hot chocolate, turkeys, stuffing, and cranberry sauce across from Minute Maid Park.

The food, along with donated clothing and gifts, were given to the 100 or so homeless who came to the trailer throughout the day. Acme Rentals donated the tables, equipment and money for food.

“It’s a feel-good thing for me,” said Waters, who, for the fifth year, began setting up the trailer at 5 a.m. with his brother- and father-in-law. “We have so much to be thankful for. Families, a home, a good job. It’s the least we can do to get up early and help those who haven’t been as fortunate.”

Waters, a Finance & Administration Department records administrator, is one of many city employees who felt the holiday spirit calling them to good deeds. In fact, many departments organized holiday charity drives.

“City employees have always shown how generous they are, and during the holidays they feel especially compelled to help others,” said Julie Keeton, coordinator of the Combined Municipal Campaign, the city’s annual charity drive. The department efforts were not part of the CMC.

“This is a season when people want to share what they have and share their love,” said Madeleine Appel, Controller’s Office deputy assistant director. “It’s a season of peace on Earth and good will toward men, and our department employees feel that.”

Donating to the Santa cause
The Controller’s Office gave toys, clothing, diapers, sleeping bags and $200 to House of Tiny Treasures, a day care center for children of homeless parents seeking help through SEARCH, a nonprofit agency.

“Donations mean so much to us,” said Nancy Rocha, SEARCH’s volunteer and community relations coordinator. “They keep us going.”
The Controller’s Office has had a Christmas project for each of the eight years Appel has been there. They’ve donated to the Houston Area Women’s Center, St. John’s Church, and Homes for Abused Boys.

“We want to make sure the children get joy at this time of year,” Appel said.

So do the employees in Legal. As part of the Houston Young Lawyers Association’s Adopt an Angel program, employees bought 12 Peterson Elementary pre-kindergarten students bags of presents.

“Some of the kids were smaller than their bag,” said Elinore Tecson, an assistant city attorney who coordinated Legal’s donations.

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