Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Clark Curtis, For the Washington Daily News

This marks the seventh year that Charlean “Bunny” Phillips will be preparing and serving Christmas dinner for the homeless. The meals will be served on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church at 102 West Martin Luther King Drive.

“It is just in my heart to help these folks out as it sometimes brings me to tears,” said Bunny. “If I’m not going to eat a hot dog on Christmas, why would I give anyone else one. Whatever I’m going to eat, I’m going to serve to someone else in need.”

Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve the food. Bunny said she will be there in the kitchen before the crack of dawn to start the cooking, and asks those who would like to help prepare the meals to be there around 8:00 if possible. Volunteers who want to help serve should be there by 10:30. To make a donation or to volunteer please reach out to Bunny at 252-414-6185 or BUNBUNNY@yahoo.com.

During the gathering Shont’e Mason, the owner of Vivrant Things Boutique, will be there with her family to distribute care packages for the homeless. She said they are accepting donations of socks, gloves, and personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, tooth paste, deodorant, and lotions. “We have never been homeless, homeless, per say,” said Mason. “But there was a time when I was out of work and pregnant, my husband was just starting his barber business, and we had two little babies and were living in a motel. So I certainly know what it is like to struggle this time of year. So why not have a little Christmas present to go along with their meals.”

To make donations for the care packages or to help assemble them contact Shont’e Mason  directly at 252-327-8923.