Friends of Skid Row Brings Christmas Cheer for 24 Years
Spreading Holiday Cheer: Friends of Skid Row Delivers Hope to Unhoused Community
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Los Angeles, CA – As the holiday season brings joy and warmth to many, it can be a particularly challenging time for those experiencing homelessness. Recognizing this, Friends of Skid Row, a dedicated non-profit organization, has been spreading holiday cheer for 24 years, providing essential supplies and a glimmer of hope to the unhoused community in Downtown Los Angeles.
This Christmas Eve, Friends of Skid Row distributed hygiene kits, clothing, blankets, children’s books, and toys to over 600 men, women, and children on Skid Row. The organization relies on donations from friends, families, and local community groups throughout the year to make this annual event possible.
“The holidays can be a rough time for people,” said Dennis Simms, co-founder of Friends of Skid Row. “People feel isolated, alone, and things like that.I always tell my volunteers to start, our job today is to share a smile, to be respectful and to hopefully kindle hope because you know everything starts with hope.”
The organization’s humble beginnings stemmed from a group of eight friends who decided to redirect their holiday gift exchange towards a more meaningful cause.
“We kind of said, this is cool, but we’re exchanging things that none of us really need,” Simms recalled. “It’s nice, but what if we did something that had a little bit more weight to it, where a $50.00 gift, a $20.00 gift, could really make a difference for somebody.”
Simms, originally from Leimert Park, was familiar with Skid row through his work in telecommunications. he took his then-fiancée, Amanda, to the area, and the experience profoundly impacted her.
“We got down there, and it made an emotional impact on her,” Simms said. “I said this is where maybe we can make our very small impact, but you know my thing is someone always has to start something for somebody else to follow.”
For over two decades, Friends of Skid Row has been a beacon of hope during the holidays. Simms shared that each year, there’s a moment that reaffirms the importance of their work.
“Each year, there’s usually something that is very impactful to one or more of us,” Simms said. ”I can remember a time we gave a very nice, heavy jacket to…”
Spectrum Employee Brings Holiday Cheer to Skid Row for 24th Year
los Angeles, CA – For 24 years, Los Angeles resident and Spectrum employee, [Simms’ Full Name], has dedicated his Christmas Eve to bringing joy and essential items to those experiencing homelessness on skid Row. What began as a small act of kindness has blossomed into a heartwarming tradition, fueled by Simms’ unwavering commitment and the support of his community.Simms, a technical sales consultant for Spectrum’s unified communications platform, leads “Friends of Skid Row,” a volunteer organization that personally distributes winter clothing, blankets, and other necessities to individuals on Skid Row.”We gave a lovely coat to an older Black woman in her 70s,” Simms recalled. “She put it on and looked at my friend and me and said, ‘no one’s ever trusted me with anything of value like this’ and she started crying. Each year, there’s been just something that continues to really fuel us to make the sacrifice of our own holiday.”
Simms’ dedication extends beyond simply dropping off donations. He and his volunteers create a personal connection with the individuals they serve.
“Our house basically turns into a staging site for the better part of december,” simms explained.”Whether it’s giving up our garage because we’re stacking boxes or a patio area because we’re staging, I just think there’s merit to what we’re doing.”
This year, Spectrum recognized Simms’ extraordinary efforts by awarding him a $2,500 grant through their Employee Community Grant program.
“Spectrum has shown that they want to invest into the communities that we do business in,” said Simms. “This year I’ve been blessed with getting a grant from Spectrum, which only enhances my ability to go out there and for the volunteers in my group to give and that’s what it’s all about.”
simms’ approach to giving is unique. He encourages interaction and personal connection between volunteers and recipients.
“We set up tables and the people in our group get to interact with the people that are receiving the gift,” simms said. “We’ve had kids that have brought down bikes that they’ve outgrown, and we told them they got to choose the kid that they give the bike too provided that they understand, when they give the bike, they need to explain the features of the bike so, there’s an interaction, which makes an indelible impression.”
The Spectrum grant will help Friends of Skid Row expand its inventory of winter clothing and other essential items for distribution on december 24th. For Simms, the true reward lies in bringing hope to those who need it most.
“If we can’t go out there and kindle a little bit of hope for someone to make it through the season, to let them know that they’re seen, that they are important then, that’s the only time we fail when we go down there and that hasn’t happened,” said Simms.”This is our 24th year, that just hasn’t happened.”
Spreading Holiday Cheer: An Interview with Friends of Skid Row
Los Angeles, CA – during the recent holiday season, as the city echoed with festive cheer, Friends of Skid Row, a long-standing non-profit institution, was busy spreading warmth and hope to Los Angeles’ unhoused community. For 24 years, this dedicated group has made it their mission to bring essential supplies and a much-needed dose of holiday spirit to those in need.
A Conversation with Dennis Simms
NewDirectory3.com had the possibility to speak with Dennis Simms, co-founder of Friends of Skid Row, to learn more about their mission and the impact of their work. Simms shared the organization’s heartwarming beginnings:
“We kind of saeid, this is cool, but we’re exchanging things that none of us really need. It’s nice, but what if we did something that had a little bit more weight to it, where a $50.00 gift, a $20.00 gift, could really make a difference for somebody.”
What started as a small group of friends redirecting their holiday gift exchange towards a more meaningful cause has blossomed into a beloved tradition that touches the lives of hundreds every year. Simms emphasized the vital role of volunteers and community donations in making their annual Christmas Eve distribution possible.
“The holidays can be a rough time for people. People feel isolated, alone, and things like that. I always tell my volunteers to start, our job today is to share a smile, to be respectful and to hopefully kindle hope because you know everything starts with hope.”
Beyond the practical assistance they provide,Friends of Skid Row strives to offer a sense of connection and belonging during a time when many feel forgotten.
Leaving a Lasting impact
Simms shared a poignant moment that encapsulated the profound impact of their work:
“Each year, there’s usually something that is very impactful to one or more of us.
I can remember a time we gave a very nice,heavy jacket to…”
This compelling story, and countless others like it, demonstrate the transformative power of Friends of Skid Row’s efforts. Their story is a testament to the importance of community support and the enduring human spirit even in the face of adversity.