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Ebenezer Baptist Church Hosts Christmas Giving & Vaccination Program in OKC — I Was There, and It Meant Something

I recently attended an event that reminded me what true community looks like. Ebenezer Baptist Church in Oklahoma City hosted its annual Christmas Community Giving Pod—but this year, they added a powerful twist: a COVID-19 vaccination program. It was more than just a holiday handout. It felt like a message of hope wrapped in action.

As I walked in, I saw volunteers moving with purpose, families lining up for food, coats, toys—and yes, free vaccinations. There was this beautiful mix of holiday spirit and public health care coming together in real time. It wasn’t flashy or political. It was human.

What struck me even more was seeing gubernatorial candidate Joy Hofmeister show up—not just for a photo-op, but to genuinely engage with people. I watched her speak with families, thank volunteers, and listen to stories. In a time when trust in politics feels shaky at best, seeing her interact with kindness and humility gave me a sense of cautious optimism.

The event served over 500 community members. I spoke to a mother who said this was the only way she could get gifts for her kids this year—and she also got her first vaccine dose. It hit me hard. Sometimes, access isn’t about money—it’s about timing, trust, and showing up where people already are.

If there’s one thing I took away from that day, it’s this: real change doesn’t always come from big stages or headlines. Sometimes, it’s happening right in church parking lots—where coats, shots, and hope are handed out with equal love.

I left feeling full—not just from holiday cookies, but from a renewed sense of what it means to serve, connect, and lift each other up.