Rajmund Dabrowski and Sue Timmerman – Delta, Colorado … Three days before Christmas, a group of “Community Helpers” at the Delta Seventh-day Adventist Church in Delta, Colorado, came together to pack dozens of produce bags as Christmas gifts for those in need in the local community.
“Our church members are generous in providing donations of foodstuffs for our neighbors,” said Donna Harold, a known community activist of the church.
Church volunteers were supported by a gift from the local Safeway store which donated “Fresh and Flavorful” shopping bags. “It’s a blessing to support your initiative,” commented one of the store managers.
Mike Allen, a champion of the church’s Christmas initiative, went around the city for many years and asked business owners for their support. Though he announced a need to retire, the group has learned of Allen’s projection to be involved for next year—2026. The church is grateful for their generosity. One of the volunteers said that “our blessings are to be shared as a blessing to be outreached with those who are in need.”
There was more to be reported.
It was an unusually warm day on the 19th of December in Cedaredge, Colorado. Ken and Sue Timmerman, members of Delta Church, had been developing a friendship with Roi who had been adjusting to life again after being homeless for several years. Roi, an eight-year Airforce veteran, was legally blind and lately obtained a new puppy naming him Avocado. The dog was to help him with the very lonely feeling he had been dealing in his current life situation.
It soon became apparent that having Avocado was showing that it would be beneficial to acquire a kennel for his young animal. “It was for its safety when the human was not at home,” he shared with Sue, who, together with her husband Ken, participate in community activities.
She responded, “I’m going to find a dog crate for you.” Facebook Marketplace was a proper place to begin looking on, Sue thought. That same day she found one. She called the number to arrange a time to look at it. At the location in Cedaredge, she was shown two crates which were advertised.
Sue told the woman the smaller one might not work, so the woman said, “How about the much bigger one?” The larger one cost much more. The husband walked into the room as Sue began to tell them about the homeless man’s new life and the many obstacles he is overcoming.
At this point, the husband suggested an instant solution, “Let’s give her the big crate for free.” The husband carried the crate to Sue’s car with the trunk open.
The trunk was full of Christmas food boxes being delivered later that day. The woman suddenly said, “Wait a minute. I will be right back.”
She returned and placed six one-hundred-dollar bills in Sue’s hand and said, “Here is three hundred dollars for you and three hundred dollars for the cause.”
The kennel-seller said, “God has blessed us this year!”
—Rajmund Dabrowski and Sue Timmerman are members of the Delta Seventh-day Adventist Church. Copy and photos by Rajmund Dabrowski.
