Holiday meal, toy giveaway brings smiles to Merced residents

A cold and drizzly Christmas Eve morning didn’t stop hundreds from gathering outside the American Legion Hall, including a 4-year-old dog in a sweater.

Peyote, a small dog with curly white hair, was accompanied by Tomas Montoya. The 55-year-old said he came to eat, but was hoping he’d be able to find some clothes for himself and his canine pal.

“What I really need is some shirts and stuff,” he said. “And, a four-legged (sweater) for him.”

The annual Christmas Eve gathering at the hall brought hundreds of men, women and children. They lined up early, many pulling their collars close to their faces to protect from the rain and breeze.

Montoya said he’s homeless “off and on” but is staying with friends at the moment. He travels around Merced on a bike, pulling Peyote and his belongings in a bicycle trailer.

Somewhere along the line, he lost the four-legged sweater he had for his dog. He also has had his bicycle stolen on occasion.

“Maybe it’s a blessing,” he said, motioning to a vintage beach cruiser without a seat. “I always wanted an older one like this.”

Inside the hall, Johnny Borrell, 54, of Merced ate a salad as he waited for his girlfriend’s grandchildren to pick out toys. It was his first visit to the meal that dates back a few decades.

In one corner, men and women picked clothes donated throughout the year by Merced residents. “The community is so wonderful, and they’re giving,” said Viola Anderson, the director the Merced County Rescue Mission’s women’s facility.

Anderson said the mission, Gateway Community Church, Lifeline CDC, New Beginnings Fellowship and a number of other groups and churches gather and trade clothes throughout the year.

She has been a part of the meal for the past four years, she said, and it seems to have drawn fewer people in recent years.

Just about everybody who visits the hall picks up some clothes. “They’re looking for a lot of socks, pants, sweaters, coats,” Anderson said.

In the market for some jeans was Sam Lawrence, 44, who also dined on ham, green beans, a roll and dessert. He said he’s been in Merced for three months but has already made friends, with whom he shared his meal.

“It’s good to see familiar faces,” he said. “I like the small-town feel.”

Several children and adults from the Merced Basketball Club helped serve food to diners. Brian Jones, vice president of the club, said the Amateur Athletic Union program goes beyond basketball to try to teach the youngsters, who range between 12 and 16, to be good citizens.

“We’re here to give back to Merced, because we started in Merced,” he said.

After eating a hot meal and picking out some new clothes, many people filed through a separate room and picked toys for their little ones. Mayra Valencia, 30, brought 3-year-old Daniel and 9-year-old Mariana into the room. They left with stuffed animals, a silver car and a Barbie doll.

A 14-year resident of Merced, Valencia said she lost her housing in town in 2013. She and her children are staying at the women’s shelter. Thursday was her first visit to the annual holiday meal.

“They’re very nice, very helpful,” she said.

This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 12:51 PM with the headline "Holiday meal, toy giveaway brings smiles to Merced residents."