Scent of Water
In the parking lot of First United Methodist Church in Fullerton, a group of Love Fullerton neighbors shared meals, stories, and resources with their homeless neighbors in the name of Jesus.
About the story:
On this 3rd annual Love Fullerton citywide serve day, excited to share her story, the project lead, Ms. Marsha Grim, invited me to visit her ministry of three years for Love Fullerton. After hearing it, I agreed that her story needed to be shared.
The project’s official name is Scent of Water, the local homeless neighbors and volunteers all know that it is the Free Laundry, Shower, and Lunch ministry that takes place, between 1:30 to 3:30 PM, every 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month in Downtown Fullerton. The founders Jim & Roe Dodgen, both members of the First Evangelical Free Church in Fullerton, had a vision to start a ministry to meet some of the local homeless’s immediate physical needs, a place to have their clothes laundered and a place to enjoy a warm shower. They scouted for convenient locales and rented the use of the parking lot from the First United Methodist Church.
About me:
I have been volunteering every year to the Love Fullerton Social Media press.
This year, I was blessed to be assigned to the school that I also regularly volunteer at, Sunny Hills High School. I spent three hours on campus interviewing volunteers and school staff and administration about the impact of dozens of lovefullerton.org volunteers loving on the school with comprehensive curb painting, professional column beams painting, and shrubbery cleanup. Exhausted by the end of the three hours coverage on campus, I was ready for the treat at Fullerton College that awaited the six-city-serve day volunteers for a wonderful time of free delicious food and live music.
But this story is not about the school Sunny Hills High, or about services the love Fullerton crews provided there. It is about another group of love Fullerton volunteers, who gave up the opportunity to dine and hang-out at Fullerton College; instead chose to arrive to this nondescript parking lot early in order to open up “shop” for the guests who would come to meet them that afternoon.
The ministry:
Granted regular use of two trailers equipped with seven washer/dryer units, two hot shower stalls, a few portable blue tents, a number of portable chairs and tables, donated personal hygiene items and clothes, Scent of Water is operated by regular volunteers from a handful of churches in the area and Marsha, with support from OC United. A non-profit in Costa Mesa donates time and manpower delivering the trailers to this location two Saturdays every month.
Homeless neighbors, invited by word of mouth, come regularly to have their loads of laundries washed free of charge. A volunteer operates the machines, while the guests enjoy a full meal with “too much dessert” according to Marsha. The homeless neighbors then have the opportunity to use one of the two private portable shower stalls. Donations of clean clothes and toiletry items allow the guests to enjoy a pleasant experience while visiting. Volunteers to the program come and hang out with guests while they wait for the clothes to be washed. Partnership with Future in Humanity provides resource referrals and mentoring, helping visitors connect with services that the homeless may need.
April 30th:
When I first arrived after the Love Fullerton lunch, a raffle drawing* was taking place where guests got an opportunity to pick needed items of their choice, a new sturdy water bottle, sun screen, lotion items, note books, just random items that may make life on street a bit easier. Under the blue tent spread an array of inviting dishes consisted of pizza, lasagna, salad, fruits, and desserts, and cold drinks. Many of the volunteers, shared laughter and encouragement, did so in the name of Jesus.
Leah’s gift:
On this serve day also celebrated Marsha’s recent birthday, as I was interviewing Marsha, a young regular guest named Leah came to present Marsha a birthday gift – a carefully written note from Leah’s heart about what Marsha’s ministry meant to her. I was blessed with Leah’s permission to both tape the gift and to share it.
Watch “Leah’s Gift” on YouTube via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdJCDYIpOiY
Watch the interview with Marsha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22pPaUG9D5w
*Raffles take place on special occasions such as special Holidays and Love Fullerton serve day, since they depend on donations to fill the table with useful items for the homeless.
How YOU can help bring joy and hope to those on the streets:
· Donate money, clothing items, or personal hygiene items
· Be a regular volunteer
· Contact OC United, Inc.
· 714.257.4380 (admin asst), www.ocunited.org, 418 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832