The Joy of a Hangover Monday

On Friday night we had the annual Union Mission holiday and staff appreciation party. It is quite the event and former employees somehow still wish to attend. Held at the Savannah Italian Club, the food is to die for, the entertainment is hilarious(more on that in a minute)and it thanks a hard working staff that needs to blow it out at least once a year. This is hard work that we do at Union Mission, often heart-breaking work, and sometimes we simply need to celebrate. The annual party is that celebration.

It is also funny. Each staff competes against the other in competitive karaoke and this year's theme was "The King of Rock verses the King of Pop" and yes multiple Michael Jacksons and at least one Elvis was in the house. Each staff really prepares for this (Loosely prepares!)and there is laughing, booing, and mostly awful performances. One or two members of the staff actually have some musical talent but they are far outnumbered by the rest of us.

So we had Jailhouse Rock, Billy Jean and all of the great music of both artists. We also have a Dee-Jay who carries a large spoon around his waist and plays it like a base guitar throughout the night. And just as inexplicably, the Parent & Child staff won this year's compeition with Michael Jackson busting in on Elvis in the middle of a song for a musical show down. A group of mostly unbiased judges who could not be bought off, determined it was so.

Unlike previous years, there was not a great deal of smack talk leading up to the party. The main reason is that Union Mission is slammed in this economy and the staff is working overtime throughout the holiday season trying to manage the needs that keep showing up at our door.

And on this hangover Monday after the party, everyone will show back up today to care for the hundreds of people who will be there waiting for housing, health care, food, couseling, the dentist, and all of the other services that Union Mission provides day in and day out. This is an incredible, dedicated group of people who bleed for what we do and it is great to start another week with them.