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(The Gazette, Letters to the Editor, December 2004)
I was very disappointed to read that Bob Telmosse has decided that he wants to take "Christ" out of "Christmas" ("Christmas Giveaway goes it alone after dispute over role of religion," The Gazette, Dec. 2). Jesus Christ is the reason for the season; it isn't people, gifts and/or things. I sincerely hope Telmosse hasn't gotten so big-headed that he has come to think Christmas is about him.
I will be doubling my donation to The Springs Rescue Mission this year.
Morris E. Brovold
Colorado Springs
December 2, 2004
By CARY LEIDER VOGRIN - THE GAZETTE
The annual Christmas Giveaway has hit a snag because of a disagreement between organizers that, at its core, is about how each defines the meaning of Christmas.
The Springs Rescue Mission on Wednesday bowed out of the massive charitable function over differences with giveaway founder Bob Telmosse about religion’s place in the event.
Telmosse wants the event — traditionally held in Colorado Springs on Christmas Eve — to take place Dec. 23 with no preaching.
The Rescue Mission had arranged for the giveaway to be held at a large church and planned to offer Bibles and prayer to those who sought them.
Joe Vazquez, executive director of the Rescue Mission, called Telmosse’s no-religion criterion “a deal-breaker.”
“Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth,” Vazquez said.
Thousands of people line up each year for free toys, household goods, food and clothing. While the gifts are intended for the needy, no one is turned away.
The Rescue Mission and Telmosse joined forces for the giveaway in 2002, after Telmosse said about a week before Christmas that he was too ill to pull it off alone. The Rescue Mission organized the event at the last minute, with Telmosse’s name attached. The same arrangement was made last year.
Telmosse began organizing the event more than 20 years ago. His health began deteriorating two years ago because of a rare condition that has damaged his kidneys. The 63-year-old now requires daily dialysis and said he can no longer walk.
But even from a hospital bed this week, Telmosse was clear about how he wants his event run — and that’s without any religious overtones.
“We did have a moment of silence, and we allowed everyone to pray in their own way. That’s as close as we get,” Telmosse said in a phone interview from Penrose Hospital.
“Even having it at a church — people will assume it’s a church deal, and it’s not. If they (the Mission) don’t agree to that, we’ll do it without them.”
With the Rescue Mission out, it appears the event organization has fallen to Terry Hooper, general manager of the Southern Colorado Expo on North Union Boulevard. The giveaway has been held at the Expo for the past four years, Hooper said.
This year, though, at Telmosse’s request, the date of the event will change from Christmas Eve to Dec. 23.
Last year, 5,000 people left the Expo with gifts and food, Vazquez said. People were offered Bibles, he said, but were not forced to take them. The Rescue Mission also spent $14,000 buying toys and food for the event.
Jill Gregory, who handles public affairs for the Rescue Mission, said the religious aspect was low-key.
“We were certainly not praying over them as they walk in the door,” she said.
Vazquez said the decision not to participate in this year’s giveaway came after discussions with staff members, who felt the Rescue Mission could not compromise on its beliefs.
The organization’s mission, according to its Web site, is “to reach the poor and needy of Colorado Springs with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to provide for their physical needs while ministering restoration to their spirit, soul, and body.”
Vazquez said the Rescue Mission will turn over the toys it has already collected to Hooper and focus on plans for its annual Christmas Eve dinner at City Auditorium.
He said he feels no ill will toward Telmosse.
“It’s his event. I can’t tell him how to do it. Amen,” Vazquez said.
Telmosse plans to do it his way:
“We’re going to keep it as it always has been — very light and friendly. We’ll have Christmas music and so forth, but we don’t do any preaching.”
The Bob Telmosse Christmas Giveaway will be Dec. 23, starting at 2 p.m. at the Southern Colorado Expo, 1801 N. Union Blvd. Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. daily. For information or to volunteer, call 633-9660.
The Springs Rescue Mission will hold its annual free Christmas Eve meal for the needy from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Dec. 24 at City Auditorium downtown.