Youth of Schoeneck Bring Christmas to Moravian Open Door
In the spring of last year, Moravian Open Door (MOD) in New York City was damaged by a flood. They lost quite a bit, including their Christmas tree and many of their books. My youth group from Schoeneck Moravian Church did a Christmas in July fund raiser. A paper Christmas tree was placed on the wall in the fellowship hall, and members of the church bought paper ornaments to place on the tree. With the money, the youth group bought an artificial tree to replace the one lost in the flood.
On December 7, 2008, several members of our youth group delivered the tree to MOD. Youth group leaders Mike and Allene Rampulla oversaw the trip, and the four of us who helped to deliver the tree. Sarah Lashley, Justin Oswald, Mason Rampulla, and I, all enjoyed the day trip. We met at our
church before the service, and loaded into the car with the artificial tree. The drive into the city was uneventful, and we were all eagerly anticipating our arrival.
This was my first visit to MOD, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. We turned onto a side street and pulled up in front of a building that you probably wouldn’t have found unless you knew where it was. We got out of the car and started pulling out the tree, decorations, and various other packages. As we walked into the narrow entrance hallway, the group split up. Most of us followed our guide back farther into the building and then down the steps into a sitting room, while the others took the boxed tree down via the elevator directly inside the door to the right.
Once we were gathered, we opened the box and started the puzzle. For those of you who have those really complex artificial trees, this one was surprisingly simple. “Just a few easy steps!” the box advertised, and for once, it really was as it said. Start with the base, and connect the lettered sections alphabetically. The tree was up, pre-strung lights were all connected, and Allene was snapping pictures for everyone back home.
We started putting up the colorful decorations, both the usual shiny baubles and those homemade beaded ornaments made by the youth group. During the entire decorating process we had some of the residents of MOD walk by and watch for a bit, taking in the entertaining spectacle we were making of ourselves. Four teenagers ranging in age from fourteen to eighteen, as well as two chaperones, all giggling and teasing each other. At one point we were exclaiming over how big the tree box was, and I was picked up and placed in the cardboard box. I was shuffled around and picked up and finally upended, laughing hysterically. We teased Justin when he took the star tree topper and put it on his head, all lit up.
When we finished decorating the tree, Mike and Mason walked around the building, checking for a few things before we left. As we cleaned up the packaging for the ornaments, more residents walked in and gazed at the tree, beautifully lit and decorated. It really felt great to have helped these people enjoy the holiday season a
little bit more, even if the only thing we had done was deliver and decorate a tree.
After many pictures of and with the completed product, we exited the building, receiving many thanks from those we passed. We went out to lunch at this little diner a few blocks over, and proceeded to walk around the city for the remainder of the afternoon, stopping in a few stores to browse or just to warm up. We also visited a fire station on our way back to the car, and saw a 9/11 memorial on the wall.
Having never done anything like this trip before, I had a lot of fun, but I also learned we take too much for granted, and we don’t realize it. Most likely, we’ll never understand that fully. I know that I appreciated this small opportunity to do something. Another similar opportunity might just be coming up soon. Our youth group over at Schoeneck is now holding a book drive. Books will be donated to Moravian Open Door, to help replace those that were lost in the same flood that left water damage, and destroyed MOD’s Christmas tree.
