Ernie and Gail Mills, Co-Founders of the Durham Rescue Mission helped serve Christmas Dinner to women, children, and intact families staying at the Good Samaritan Inn of the Durham Rescue Mission at the Women and Children’s Campus. It is tradition that “Mom and Pop Mills” join the women and children for a meal each year to celebrate Christmas.

C.T. Tomlin with his good friends, brothers Noah & Tim, came and handed out gift cards for the women.  Noah has been battling cancer for the past few years. The residents were deeply touched by Noah’s testimony.  They greatly appreciated Mr. Tomlin and his friends generosity.

11 year old Megan Brinkman was a special guest for this event.  Since Megan was 7 years old she has had a heart for helping the homeless.  At 7 years old, she went door to door to collect money for the Durham Rescue Mission and to this date, Megan continues to help those at the Durham Rescue Mission every year.

From Thanksgiving until December 22, a Christmas Wish Tree has been located at Northgate Mall giving shoppers an opportunity to select a name of a resident at the Durham Rescue Mission and purchase their Christmas Wish.  These gifts, provided by Northgate shoppers, were distributed to the men, women, and children after the Christmas Dinner.

Gail Mills states, “What a joy it is to watch the women and children as they open gifts provided by total strangers who cared enough to purchase their wish.  Often a woman will come to us with tears in her eyes and say that this is the best Christmas she has ever had.  The women, children, and families at the Good Samaritan Inn just can’t believe others care about them, especially during this busy season.  Quite often this act of kindness is the first step in recovery for them.”

On behalf of the residents, the Mills wish to thank the Durham Rescue Mission Volunteers, Donors, and Friends for a wonderful year!  For everyone who purchased a wish for a resident, thank you for your generosity during the holidays!