WGTS 91.9 invited their listeners all over the D.C. Metro area to make a difference in the community. On January 16, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the radio station hosted “Take Over Day” at Central Union Mission, one of Washington, D.C.’s, major homeless shelters. Central Union Mission is a faith-based non-profit organization with six locations throughout the D.C. Metro area.
Not only does Central Union Mission provide emergency shelters, but it also provides a food, clothing, and furniture distribution center as well as rehabilitation programs for people with life-controlling issues. Deborah Chambers, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement helped form a partnership with WGTS 91.9 for Take Over Day. With the leadership of both Chaplain Kumar Dixit and Deborah Chambers, WGTS 91.9 and Central Union Mission came together to provide hospitality, joy, and hope to the residents.
From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., individuals and groups of people signed up to help with various activities: preparing and serving meals, changing bed sheets, making sandwiches, and playing board games with the residents. Chaplain Kumar said, “The mission was so crowded with green-shirted volunteers. The cafeteria was split in two. One-half of the group was making sandwiches; the other half was playing board games with the residents. It was a beautiful sight to see.” Central Union Mission also gave tours to the volunteers who had a special interest and wanted more information about the organization.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Day, the Spiritual Care Department put together a special program for the residents. The mid-morning program started with everyone singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the black national anthem, followed by a poem, special music, spoken word, and a message from Pastor Paul Graham, senior pastor at Restoration Praise Center Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Later in the afternoon, a group of 30 volunteers signed up for a “prayer walk” led by Chaplain Kumar. The group spent 90 minutes walking throughout the whole mission, praying over each level, room, and bed in the mission. The prayer walk was such an inspiring activity for the volunteers and residents who witnessed them.
WGTS 91.9 concluded the Take Over Day with an evening worship service led by the WGTS Gateway Band. Kyle Alexander, lead singer of the band, said, “It was a, meaningful day I think everyone who was there left a little different than when they came.” Chaplain Kumar concluded the service with an inspirational thought.
Kumar Dixit, WGTS 91.9 Chaplain remarked on the day’s event, “I can’t believe how many of our listeners took the day off to serve. We are hoping to plan many more opportunities to serve as the Hands and Heart of Jesus.”
WGTS 91.9 thanks God for an uplifting event and looks forward to a year of bringing unity and hope to the community.
