By Jolene Farley
Hills residents Dale and Sue Bartels began a new Christmas tradition several years ago and plan to continue the tradition for many Christmases to come.
"We just decided, well, maybe we should do something for someone else," said Sue. So, the Bartelses began volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission in Sioux Falls on Christmas Day. The MissionÕs main goal is to "keep the people off the streets," according to Sue.
Sue and Dale have worked every Christmas, along with Sue's sister, Barb Top, from Sioux Center, Iowa. The three mainstays round up three or four more volunteers, usually relatives, to work serving the noon meal.
More than 40 volunteers arrive at the Mission about 9 or 9:30 a.m. Christmas morning to set up tables and decorate. When guests begin arriving, children are asked their names, ages and sizes. Volunteers then select clothes in the appropriate size and wrap the articles, adding a tag with the child's name on the items.
Each adult visitor receives a sweatshirt, two pairs of socks, gloves and a stocking cap, according to Sue.
A chapel service is given before the more than 400 guests sit down to eat their dinner. "They sit and we (volunteers) serve," Sue said.
"To see their faces, these little kids and adults, just to get a good meal," said Sue. "Most of them are very thankful. They really appreciate the things you give them."
After the children are finished with their meals, they are taken into a room filled with donated toys. "We take the kids through and help them select toys. That's the fun part," said Sue.
Before volunteering at the Mission, Dale and Sue celebrated Christmas the usual way, with their family. They still have family celebrations, but they also make time for volunteering at the Mission.
"We just plan around it," said Sue. "We have parties on different days. We still spend Christmas evening at my motherÕs and attend the Christmas Eve services at church."
The Bartelses are thankful for their family, their health, their church and good friends. "We figure, basically, most of our life we didn't have much for problems," said Sue. "It makes you appreciate what you do have when you see people who donÕt have anything."
Sue, who is a delegate to the Mission from the Reformed Church of Steen, has become so dedicated to the Mission that she joined the Mission Auxiliary and currently holds the office of second vice president.
The Auxiliary is involved, among other duties, in the actual fund-raising for the Union Gospel Mission. Money hasnÕt been coming in the last few months as well as expected, according to Sue.
She speculates many sent money to the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks rather than giving locally.
"We all work together to plan things," she said. "We try to get churches involved and interested in the Mission."
Sue stresses individuals are also welcome to volunteer at the Mission by calling 605-334-6732.