It's Christmas 2009. Thousands of our neighbors have been hammered by the economic downturn, our state budget is in chaos and the future looks mighty uncertain, but the season of hope has a momentum all its own and its arrival promises to soothe the soul and calm the nerves. It also helps to know that those taking a hit in our state are never far from a helping hand.

We ran into our old friend Jeremy Reynalds the other day. He's the longtime director of the ABQ homeless shelter Joy Junction which come rain or shine or Christmas Day is on the front lines in providing assistance to anyone who needs it. He passed this along:

Joy Junction Homeless Shelter’s Lifeline of Hope Mobile Food Wagon will be touring the streets of Albuquerque and the surrounding area on Christmas Eve...the wagon will make stops at locations where the homeless are known to congregate. Reynalds and his crew will distribute a variety of items, including hot soup, stew, coffee, juice and coats...

And the shelter will have its 24rd annual traditional Christmas dinner at Joy Junction's 4500 Second Street Southwest facility from 2 p.m. through 6 p.m. Dec. 25. Call Jeremy at (505) 400-7145 for more information.

CHRISTMAS CHEER

Thanks for coming by here for another year. It's a privilege to have you. Here's our annual Christmas card for you, your friends and family. And here's some swingin' Christmas cheer from Frank.

Merry Christmas, New Mexico!



(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2009
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