Open Hands Honors Public Service

Caring for Children in Dallas County

On Saturday, June 28, 2014, Open Hands volunteers along with the children and staff of Jonathan’s Place emergency children’s shelter met at Garland Fire Station #4 to honor our public service officials.  Captain See as well as the other station firefighters welcomed us to the station and we were treated to a demonstration of what goes into a fireman’s day.  We learned about fire safety and had a chance to see inside the fire trucks and the fire house.  A hot lunch was served by the Open Hands volunteers to the children and firemen.

Special thanks to the individuals who made and donated the Italian entrees and to Olive Garden in Garland for their donation of salad and bread-sticks.  After lunch, the children created a “thank you” banner for the firemen for their service to our community.

Open Hands is a ministry of North Cities that seeks to live out the Great Commandment of loving God by loving others (Matt 22:35-40).  By partnering with Jonathan’s Place for this event, Open Hands provided an opportunity for volunteers to embrace some of the most vulnerable of God’s children. Jesus said that acts of kindness shown “unto to the least of these,” would be considered as if they were done directly for Him (Matt 25:40).

Jonathan’s Place has been helping to take care of the Dallas area’s abused children since 1991.  Care is provided through a “home-style” emergency shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children.  They also provide a Foster and Adoptive Family Program and a Girls Treatment Program.  Jonathan’s Place is the only emergency shelter in Dallas County that provides 24-hour residential care for children in crisis under the age of 10.

Plans are being made now for Open Hands’ next community service project.  If you are interested in “Connecting to your Purpose” by volunteering for future events, please pick up an application at the Information Center or complete our Contact form.