Christmas at the Virginia Peninsula Corps

By: Christopher Priest

As with the majority of our corps community centers around the territory, Christmas distribution brings its own challenges as space to receive, sort and distribute much-needed resources in our communities is at a premium.

The Virginia Peninsula Corps (formerly known as Hampton, Virginia Corps) thought its Christmas warehouse space was settled with unused retail space acquired at a reasonable rent. This had been the third property in a search since June that was made available. Imagine the nightmare of receiving a phone call from the realtor stating the property was no longer available – 3 WEEKS before the property would be needed.

In the words of newly appointed Corps Officers Lt. Michael and Captain Malaika Good. "We have hunkered down in our corps building for this busy season, in spite of all the opposition. We have an incredible staff, volunteers and of course our donors who have surrounded us and we are all doing our best to provide Christmas for the community of the Virginia Peninsula."

The Chapel serves as the Worship Center, mid-week gathering place and the meeting room for the bell ringers. Classrooms and the gymnasium have become the staging area for Angel Tree, food distribution and everything else Christmas. 5000 children will be served including 100 refugee families from Syria, Iraq and Iran and 50 families who were dispersed from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

The Virginia Peninsula Corps is in the #FightForGood.