WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD - It's a special Christmas for Leno Parhan who's spending the holidays with people he calls his "recovering family" at the Wells House.
"My Christmas this year is the first in 32 years that I'm clean and sober and I'm very happy," he says.
Luckily Parhan won't have to worry about Christmas dinner. It's been taken care of by volunteers at Meritus Medical Center.
"When we first started doing this it was like 1,500 meals maybe, and it just keeps growing every year," says Linda Baumer, Retail Manager at Meritus Medical Center.
Now more than 2,000 meals are going to needy families and folks in the community.
"It is truly the holiday season people love to help," says Dr. Stephen Kotch, Meritus Medical Center. "If you look around there are families, there are kids here of all ages."
"It's wonderful," says Donna Long with the Community Rescue Service. "It gives you the warm fuzzies"
Long is delivering holiday meals for the first time. She's bundled up, ready to give more than just a hearty meal.
"To see all those gentlemen in there not being able to be with their families, it's sad," she says, "But it's heartwarming to be able to bring them a little bit of light at Christmas time and a good meal."
Lending a helping hand to those in need, so they may have one less concern this holiday season.
"I thank you guys for keeping me sober," says Parhan to his Halfway House family. "It's a pleasure to wake up and see all of you all everyday, it really is. You all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
"My Christmas this year is the first in 32 years that I'm clean and sober and I'm very happy," he says.
Luckily Parhan won't have to worry about Christmas dinner. It's been taken care of by volunteers at Meritus Medical Center.
"When we first started doing this it was like 1,500 meals maybe, and it just keeps growing every year," says Linda Baumer, Retail Manager at Meritus Medical Center.
Now more than 2,000 meals are going to needy families and folks in the community.
"It is truly the holiday season people love to help," says Dr. Stephen Kotch, Meritus Medical Center. "If you look around there are families, there are kids here of all ages."
"It's wonderful," says Donna Long with the Community Rescue Service. "It gives you the warm fuzzies"
Long is delivering holiday meals for the first time. She's bundled up, ready to give more than just a hearty meal.
"To see all those gentlemen in there not being able to be with their families, it's sad," she says, "But it's heartwarming to be able to bring them a little bit of light at Christmas time and a good meal."
Lending a helping hand to those in need, so they may have one less concern this holiday season.
"I thank you guys for keeping me sober," says Parhan to his Halfway House family. "It's a pleasure to wake up and see all of you all everyday, it really is. You all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
