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Christmas dinner bridges generational gap
In the name of community, Luv Ya Like A Brother united young and old
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT - On Dec. 7, the Mt. Pleasant Country Club hosted Christmas Presence, a turkey dinner. Hosted by Luv Ya Like A Brother, its goal was to unite the lonely with their community, to show them the care and acceptance of a community.
This event is far from the only thing planned by Luv Ya Like A Brother. This year, the group plans to encourage the founding of high school groups centered on suicide prevention. Two $1,000 college scholarships will be awarded to outstanding student leaders in the pursuit of this goal. Although dates have not yet been set, a fun run and a golf tournament are in the works.
“Christmas Presence is about more than a festive gathering. It’s about showing up—really showing up—for others.” These words, posted by Luv Ya on their Facebook Page, seem to encapsulate their mission. “It’s a reminder to embrace those we love, and to reach out to anyone who might feel a little lonely, overlooked, or weighed down during the holidays. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is simply our presence.”
The event, consisting of a dinner and bingo, was a group effort. Gayle Ruppe prepared the dinner, and Karl Schaefer emceed, presenting music for Karaoke. Luv Ya also highlighted the efforts of Candice Becker, Bethany and Brant Knudsen, Bill and Cynthia Becker, and Jay and Liz Bowlin, which helped make the evening possible. The Country Club too was thanked for providing the venue.
“31 percent of people over 65 suffer from loneliness over Christmas,” says James Becker, founder of the organization. “If we can get families we knew to adopt an elder and share the enthusiasm of the younger, it might add a little light to their lives at the time of Christmas."
After the recent passing of his two sons, Dillon and AJ, it was Becker’s dream to unite the young and old during the Holidays; to build community, in their memory.
“We honor Dillon and AJ and the idea of who they were, not how they passed,” James said.
James Becker’s 8-year-old daughter, Grace Becker, who attended Christmas Presence, was also present at the Swedesburg Feast of Saint Lucia, playing the role of a Star Child opposite of Lilly Heckethorn’s Saint Lucia.
The game of bingo was structured to support this mission; if any family won twice, the proceeds of the second win would be donated to a nearby table. As it stood, every table had a winner, someone who went home $25 richer.
During karaoke, each family picked a song to sing along to. When it came time for the Beckers’ turn, there was a mishap, or perhaps a happy accident. Although White Christmas was requested, the song that ended up playing was, I’ll Be Home For Christmas. According to James Becker, this touched many in his family.
“That was my mom’s favorite song… it was copyrighted in 1943, and it became the song of all these men, like my dad, who were at war at Christmastime. [...] I believe in angels, and her presence was definitely felt. It was that kind of a night.”
The evening also featured Jimmy Durante’s Make Someone Happy, a song which, to James Becker, encapsulated the spirit of the evening.
Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com
