God was truly present at my Brother’s Keeper this December as we celebrated the birth of His son by serving our more humble brothers and sisters.

As always, we kicked off our Christmas Program in prayer. A record crowd of 750 attended our 22nd annual Gratitude mass with one of our own volunteers delivering the homily, recently-ordained Deacon Brian Kean of West Roxbury.

Then from December 7th to December 24th, nearly 3,000 children, parents and grandparents volunteered at my Brother’s Keeper. Working together, we delivered gifts and food to 2,725 families–10,817 children and adults!–living in 76 towns between Haverhill and Harwich.

All these numbers represent records: more volunteers than ever served more families in more communities in less time… just 18 days, four fewer than last year. These records are noteworthy because they speak to the passion and vibrancy of our growing community but at My Brother’s Keeper, it always comes down to mission, not numbers: did we shine the light of Christ and bring His love and hope to those we serve?

The numerous thank you letters we received are a resounding ‘Yes!’ Here’s one from a family in Whitman who received our help with furniture in November and presents in December:

My family cannot express our gratitude enough for all that you have done for us. Through Jesus and the staff and volunteers at My Brother’s Keeper, we have furniture for our apartment and Christmas gifts for our daughter. You make God so proud for doing his work and graciously helping families in need like ours. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You make so many lives so much brighter. God bless you all.

Love, Deb & Family

Thank you for being part of the My Brother’s Keeper family and thank you for helping us bring the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ to so many in 2012. We wish you all the best in 2013, our 25th anniversary.