A Homeless Shelter Gets a Visit from Santa and a Football Hero for “Christmas on a Mission”

The Mission of Yahweh’s 11th annual “Christmas on a Mission” brought out big players to help homeless women and children enjoy a day of Christmas fun.

More than 100 guests enjoyed a catered breakfast, Santa and snow from the North Pole, a super slide, DJ and music, snowball fights and of course gifts for the residents of the Mission. Superstar Houston Texans Defensive End J.J. Watt and fiancée Kealia Ohai dropped by to hand-deliver gifts to the children and tour the facility.

Monica Hartland, chairperson for this always-inspiring event, spoke from the heart about how the event has grown over the years and how grateful she was for the support from her friends, family, and the community-at-large, who buy them presents and show up before the event, wrap them and deliver them to the excited group on Christmas morning.

Sister Helen Gay founded the Mission in 1961. It is a faith-based shelter that empowers, enriches and restores the lives of homeless women and children by providing food, clothing, shelter and outreach services. Currently there are approximately 140 semi-permanent residents at The Mission with 40% being children under 13 years of age. Last year 40,557 nights of safe shelter were provided at The Mission.

The event committee includes Ginnell & Scott Ullrich, Julie Pitts and son Gabe Mount, Warner Roberts, John Blaisdell, Janelle Reid, Kirsten Beasley, Karen Gentry, Melissa Mejia, Tammie Jeffers, and the whole Hartland clan, who were all there celebrating.

Socially present: Hannah & Cal McNair, Joanna & Brad Marks, Charlie Hartland, Angie Roberts, Executive Director Richard Hill & wife Kathy Hill, Greg Reid, Samantha & David Kennedy and Monsour Taghdisi.