TWO FAMILIES TEACH CHILDREN THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

  

The Christmas holiday has become so commercialized that many people have lost its true meaning.  Not so for two families, one from Brenham and the from Houston.

Rebecca Whittley, a book keeper at Moser Community Media in Brenham reflecting on the difficulties of the year 2020 decided to sit down with her two children, Mayce a 6^th grader at Brenham Middle and Maseo a 2^nd grader at Alton Elementary to propose an idea for Christmas.

She suggested instead of receiving Christmas gifts this year, how about giving their new and gently used clothing to a family in need?  The kids agreed it was a good idea, and said “it is sad to think that other children have little to nothing to eat or wear”.

The thought continued to grow when she called and asked, Rev. Randy Wells of Faith Mission, if they could donate to the Faith Mission Women Infant and Children (WIC) program because when transitioning from her job at St. Luke’s hospital in Houston she was without health insurance and had to utilize the service herself.

“I was in the hospital having Maseo, and was experiencing problems breastfeeding, and the WIC staff was so kind to me.  They sent an IBCLC-Lactation Consultation out to the hospital and I was given instructions on how to properly breastfeed.  They even supplied me with a breast pump.”

The family delivered the items to the WIC program on Thursday, December 17^th, but Rev. Wells had a trick up his sleeve, that required them to comeback Saturday night for 7pm.

Unknown to Mrs. Whittley, Rev. Wells had received a call the same day from Brian and Velencia Mason, owners of GC Jewelz of Houston, asking about sponsoring a family in Brenham for Christmas.

Mr. Mason and his wife had spoken to their two children Bailey and Brian, Jr. about importance of giving back, and the the kids were excited about the idea because Brenham is their mother’s home town.

A Kuykendall “from home” Velencia grew up across the street from Brenham Wholesale on First St., and was a scholar and tremendous basketball player at Brenham High School.  Her grandmother Virgie Kallie was a pillar at St. John AME Church, and her family was well known.  She credits coaches like Donna Williams and church members like Tyree Leaks, Sr. for being their “village” and teaching her great small-town values.

They still own the house on First Street, and believe God has a special plan for them to impact the Brenham community.

On Saturday, December 19 at approximately 7:15 pm the two families met at the Faith Mission/Washington County Health and Service Center.  Mayce had just finished tryouts for the Brenham Optimus Club Little Dribblers, and Mrs. Mason shared her experience of how nervous she would be before games.

As both families talked and laughed, Brian Jr. had something to say.  In a voice a little above a whisper he said, “on behalf of GC Jewelz we want to present this Christmas gift card to your family.”  Brian, Sr. beaming with pride said, “My family has been blessed and Rev. Wells told us how smart and respectful you are and what you had done for the families in this community, so want to bless you.”

A black-owned business that began in 2018 with a store front at 9894 Bissonet St. Houston Suite 350, the Mason are working hard to establish more than financial success but to teach their children the true riches of being good people.

Mrs. Mason said, “The people of Brenham gave me wisdom, skills, and taught me respect, and because of that Brenham will always have a special place in my heart.”

Rev. Wells summed the whole encounter up by saying, “To see the gift of giving come full circle, and watch these two families teach their children “it is better to give than to receive, gives me hope and has made my Christmas.

(COURTESY: Rev.Randy Wells, Faith Mission)