HAGERSTOWN, MD - Hagerstown resident Margaret McKenzie, 56, reminisces on her Christmases past.
"Us getting together and having a nice family meal and dancing and singing and you know enjoying this blessed day."
She says they always centered around one thing.
"It means to me being with my family," says McKenzie. "This is like the first Christmas I haven't really been able to be with my family."
McKenzie is spending the holidays at the Reach Shelter.
"A lot of the people that come here and actually live here don't have a family, maybe have been estranged from their families because of the situations in their lives," says Kathy Horste, Celebration Ministries.
McKenzie's been homeless for months now after losing her Section 8 Housing. Her daughter and grand children no longer live in the area.
"I know there's a reason why I'm not going to be able to be with my family this year," says McKenzie with tears in her eyes. "I lost my place helping my family, that's the part I'm not understanding."
McKenzie's journey has been difficult, but she's filling up on her Christmas meal because she'll need the energy to get her home back and fulfill her dreams.
"I'm an HCC student," says McKenzie. "It's been difficult for me to go to school because I'm homeless, but I've been given a chance to go to school."
McKenzie has just one wish this Christmas. To once again be with those closest to her. To be with her family.
"Us getting together and having a nice family meal and dancing and singing and you know enjoying this blessed day."
She says they always centered around one thing.
"It means to me being with my family," says McKenzie. "This is like the first Christmas I haven't really been able to be with my family."
McKenzie is spending the holidays at the Reach Shelter.
"A lot of the people that come here and actually live here don't have a family, maybe have been estranged from their families because of the situations in their lives," says Kathy Horste, Celebration Ministries.
McKenzie's been homeless for months now after losing her Section 8 Housing. Her daughter and grand children no longer live in the area.
"I know there's a reason why I'm not going to be able to be with my family this year," says McKenzie with tears in her eyes. "I lost my place helping my family, that's the part I'm not understanding."
McKenzie's journey has been difficult, but she's filling up on her Christmas meal because she'll need the energy to get her home back and fulfill her dreams.
"I'm an HCC student," says McKenzie. "It's been difficult for me to go to school because I'm homeless, but I've been given a chance to go to school."
McKenzie has just one wish this Christmas. To once again be with those closest to her. To be with her family.
