Nativity scenes provide help for homeless





More than 500 Nativity scenes will be on display during the weekend of Dec. 5 through 7 at Camarillo United Methodist Church, 291 Anacapa Drive, Camarillo. The group putting on the event, titled "No Room at the Inn," will mark their 11th year of raising funds to help the homeless shelter programs of Ventura County.


The opening gala is from 6 to 9 p.m. on Fri., Dec. 5 in the church hall. Refreshments will be followed by Christmas music performed by various artists.


Admission is a donation of $20 in advance or $25 at the door.


The public may view the display from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and Sun., Dec.6 and 7. Donations are $3 for adults and $1 for children. Achildren’s area and silent auction are also planned.


Representing more than 60 different countries and cultures, the Nativity scenes are made from a wide range of material, from fine porcelain and china, cut crystal and pressed glass, carved olive wood from the Holy Land, hand-shaped clay, embroidered and quilted wall hangings, to a tiny set made of marbles, and a painted cookie scene. Small dressed teddy bears and tiny mice represent whimsical examples of the Christmas story. More than 55 local residents will share their collections.


"No Room at the Inn" was started in 1992 by two teachers, Nora Howells of Thousand Oaks and Judy Crenshaw of Camarillo. Nora’s husband, Huw, and Judy, both avid collectors of Nativity sets, realized that their collections "could be used to benefit those less fortunate, the homeless."


Their plan was to have a display of Nativity sets, invite the public and give the proceeds to homeless programs.


"Because Jesus himself was homeless that first Christmas, ‘No Room at the Inn’ was an appropriate title," according to the exhibit’s organizers. Before their idea became a reality, however, Huw Howells passed away. Shortly after his death from cancer, his wife and Judy Crenshaw decided to make his dream come true, so the first display of Nativities was created as a memorial to Huw Howells.


One of the group’s goals is to highlight the true meaning of Christmas and the spirit of giving. In the 10 years since the event began, the group has given $88,500 to programs for the homeless in Ventura County.


Anyone wishing to exhibit Nativity scenes may call Karen or Bob Phipps at (805) 495-9567. For more information regarding the event, call Nora Howells at (805) 807-1088 or Judy Crenshaw at (805) 469-5717. Additional information may be found at www.noroom.org.



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