Mama Lu and friends spread holiday cheer
A bunch of bicycles sit waiting to be given away at an event at Living Word Ministries on Saturday. CHUCK BALLARO
Just when you thought Southwest Florida was in the clear after two years of COVID, Hurricane Ian came and slammed into the area, creating more devastation.
It has been a crazy few years for Mama Lu and her Living Word Ministries at 2900 N. Tamiami Trail, but that hasn’t stopped them from trying to make the holiday season a little more tolerable for those who need help the most.
On Saturday, hundreds of cars lined up on Business 41 all the way to Laurel Street to receive some supplies, food and Christmas presents for the kids, many of whom would probably not have much of one otherwise.
Mama Lu said they expected to serve up to 6,000 children and hand out more than 67,000 hand-wrapped toys thanks to organizations such as the Rail Team, the Florida Highway Patrol, Toys for Tots, the Tommy Bohanon Foundation, private donors, individual gift givers and many more.
“We’re also giving out food, supplies, canned goods, anything you can think of, they’re getting it. We’d like to be a big blessing at this time,” Mama Lu said. “People struggled but we pulled a miracle. The ones who could give gave a bunch.”
Cars began to file in around noon, where they came and got their gifts for however many kids were in the family. They also received food and water. There were gifts for children of all ages from newborn to 19 years old, including numerous bikes.
Tommy Bohanon, whose softball tournament raised lots of money for the cause, said this was a culmination of everyone’s efforts.
“A lot of people gave their hard-earned money to come out here and give these kids a Christmas they deserve,” Bohanon said. “The people of Southwest Florida are so giving. Their houses may have been destroyed, but they still wanted these kids to have a great Christmas. It was a true team effort, not just one organization.”
Once again, County Commissioner Brian Hamman came out to lend a hand with his family after Mama Lu asked him to help.
“Mama Lu have always done a great job taking care of people in the North Fort Myers community. She invited us to come out and you don’t say no to Mama Lu,” Hamman said. “She’s always here to give people a little extra help and after what’s happened this year, a lot of people will be happy to get that help.”
As cars lined up down, there were several people who came by foot to get their toys and take photos with Elsa and Anna from Frozen, robot fighters, Star Wars characters and many others.
Mary Beth Angel was with her three children, 7, 5 and 3, and was thrilled to see all the generosity of her fellow citizens and how they went all out to make the event special.
“A lot of people need help around this time and for people to be giving other people toys is very nice,” Angel said, who added she lucked out during Ian with only minor damage. “The kids love any type of toy they can get their hands on.”
For more information on Living Word Ministries and how you can help, go to lwmnfm.org.