Check out what happened this week at Love City!
Yesterday Mighty Oak Academy held its first annual Christmas Program, and it exceeded all our expectations. Our students showcased talents we never knew they had, and our families came together in a beautiful display of community it literally brought us to tears. When Shawn and I first moved here six years ago we filmed a video in the ballroom of the Mackin building. At the time we held open gym every afternoon and had fish frys out of the cafe in the back every Friday. The ballroom where we filmed was a long unused space with a rich history just waiting to embark on it's next life. We told the story of how we
moved to the neighborhood and listened to our neighbors to see what value we could add to a long vibrant community that frankly wasn't used to being listened to anymore. At the close of the video Shawn said, "Five years from now people are going to be coming ... and asking what
happened here in Portland and the only thing we will be able to say is God did all this through his love."
Yesterday that dream continued to become a reality. Love was on full display. Each one of our classes at the school put on a performance of a song or a skit for their families and friends. Almost all of our student's families attended the program, and it wasn't just immediate family
members that came, but grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and even family friends. The amount of love that was shared overflowed from our students to their families to surrounding neighbors. After the program everyone came over to Porkland for a catered fried chicken
lunch. We had a professional photographer that did family portraits for anyone who wanted. Santa and Nana Claus also came, as well as a 5 piece brass quintet of U ofL Music students playing Christmas favorites.
At the end of the party every student plus every child in their household received a bag of gifts on their way home. We had sent home flyers for our families to fill out with each child's sizes and an item on their wish list. We were able to get
everyone at least one item that they wanted for Christmas. It was amazing to feel the unity and love in the room during the Christmas party. When the noise around us has become increasingly negative it was balm to the soul to spend time with our neighbors just loving one another.
You have one more week to get your Porkland fix before we close for the holidays! Porkland is open next week Monday - Thursday but we will be closed from Christmas eve through New Years Eve. We wish you and your family a very happy holiday season!
This year Love City is packaging food boxes for Christmas. We work with several other organizations in the West End to distribute the boxes on December 21. Due to growing food costs the cost of the boxes have almost doubled this year. The boxes cost about $40 each, if you would like to partner with us on covering the cost, you can click the button below or follow the QR code in the image above.
PARTNER WITH US
At Love City we believe in time, talent and treasure.
Mighty Oak Academy Amazon Wish List
We're coming up to the end of the semester and also the end of the year. Mighty Oak can still use some supplies, especially snacks! If you would like to partner with the school, you can visit our Amazon wish list and purchase items to ship directly to the school. Visit this link to view the list: https://a.co/77dqBIT
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.
Please consider partnering financially with Love City. We are looking for sponsors for students at Mighty Oak Academy as well as partners to help fund construction of our new preschool. Click the button below to donate today.