I recently had the wonderful opportunity to work at the Men’s Shelter front desk for a week from 4:30 – 6:30pm each day. Between answering the phone, buzzing people in, checking in the Shelter’s guests and assisting the two full-time workers as needed, I got to know some pretty incredible people. Each resident had a different story, but what they had in common was not having a place to sleep at night. Thank God for the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte and the awesome, caring people who work there!
On Tuesday of that week, I brought my cooler filled with freeze pops. I was offered help immediately (!) when some of the men saw me getting into the trunk of my car. A gentleman carried the cooler, and we placed it on top of a table out in the courtyard for all to have access to it. I checked into work and sat down at the front desk for my shift. What I saw when I sat down put a smile on my face! 20 or 30 men were walking around the courtyard sucking on blue, red and purple-colored freeze pops. The colors stood out. So did the smiles. One man held two in one hand while he ate the third one in his other hand. Residents who had already checked in asked if they could go back out to get a freeze pop. [Normally, once you check in, you can’t go back out until the 7pm break since each person needs to be wanded upon entry.]
But they were let out and came back in also carrying ‘pops for a few of the employees. Everyone seemed in a good mood.
On Thursday of that week, I made an effort to be there prior to 4:30 so that men wouldn’t already be checked in – and they could have a freeze pop before going in. I did the same on Friday. “Oh, you’re that freeze pop lady, aren’t you?” “I haven’t had a freeze pop since I was a kid!” “You are so nice to bring in these freeze pops for us.” “You made my day.”