Or, to get out of the doghouse, try and do some good

It started when I accidentally gave away two boxes of warm clothing that was meant to go to ABBA House in Celaya. Long story short, the clothing went to a good cause albeit not the one Rose Alcantara envisioned when we filled the boxes with clothing.

Sure enough, I was in the doghouse, again. This one built all on my own.

I felt badly because I know Rose was thinking of the hundreds of immigrants who pass through Celaya en route to the United States. And the thousands who may very well be following the trail south after January 20.

ABBA is worried about that, too. ABBA founder Pastor Ignacio Martinez Ramirez and his staff and the Latin American Relief Fund have been meeting to come up with a strategy to meet this massive need.

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Just some of the warm-weather clothing gathered for ABBA House:

Meanwhile, with the onset of cold weather, the need for warmer clothing grows acute.

“One thing everyone who comes to ABBA House has in common is that they are cold,” said Stan Allen, a social worker and ABBA advocate. “Especially the ones who come in off the tops of the trains.”

Stan and I both volunteer at So Others May Eat where as many as 150 seniors a week get a hot meal on Wednesdays. Recently the San Miguel American Legion Post showed up for its annual sweater distribution. Every year, the Legion collects enough sweaters to provide one to every guest as S.O.M.E. They collect them from charity sales held in the city.

I thought that I could do the same but one visit to a “garage sale” proved I wasn’t cut out for that kind of operation. By the time I arrived, most of the warm weather clothing was long gone. It occurred to me that I would just be scooping up clothing that others need as badly.

Rose suggested that she appeal to her Pilates students and we could run a small clothing drive. Now that was a way better idea than me haunting garage sales and tugging sweaters from the chilly fingers of tias and abuelas.

While Rose worked on that idea, I told friends about accidentally giving away the clothes and being in the doghouse. I like telling people when I do dumb stuff like this because it makes them smile.

I have lots of smiling friends.

Some of them smiled and had a better idea. John and Linda Norman of the Community Church said they could put out the word to the congregation that warm clothing is needed. Ann Kuffner and Mike Brunette offered the same for Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

They have set up boxes in the back of the churches in the past few weeks, boxes that have overflowed with donations. After a U.U. service during which Pastor Tom Rosiello delivered a stirring talk on compassion, I witnessed a woman take a red scarf from around her neck and drop it into the box.

“That’s one of your favorite scarves!” a shocked friend whispered.

The woman turned to her, smiled, and shrugged her shoulders.

One of Rose’s students showed up at our front door with a trunk filled with clothing, some donated by their friends. Some gave bags, some offered one sweater. All are beautiful people.

“There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others…” — Nelson Mandela.

And giving a warm sweater or a favorite scarf.

Both San Miguel churches and Rose’s Pilates students came though way beyond any expectations. Stan Allen has made three trips to ABBA with clothing and may have to make a fourth.

This was all on such short notice and with modest publicity and even more-modest expectations. But you know what? People stepped up and took charge – Rose, John and Linda at Community, and Ann and Mike at Universal Unitarian – and so many people who love and respect them came through.

And because of their compassion, some people who badly need help will travel a little warmer in the weeks ahead. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the churches and students who gave so willingly.

Our little effort has ended but the cold weather and the need for warm clothing is only just beginning.

Some dear friends have stepped into the breach with a warm clothing drive of their own. Many of you know Efrain Gonzales and Laura Cerroblanco of The Somos Language and Art Center in Colonia San Antonio.

They have offered up their studio as a collection and distribution point this winter, during January and February. You can bring any warm clothing to their studio and they will make sure it reaches people who need it the most.

Somos is located at Refugio Sur #35 and receiving hours are Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. For further details, call Efrain Gonzalez at 415-109-7994.

Don’t have any unneeded sweaters or jackets? Put the word out among your friends. Have a sweater-getter happy hour. A cocktails for cold people party. You would be amazed how many people are simply looking for a way to make a difference. (And how many unused sweaters they have in their closet.)

Meanwhile, I have so much gratitude to all who give in so many ways. The happiest of holidays to all and may 2025 be just the year we’ve all been hoping to look forward to.

And thanks for helping me get out of the doghouse.