SILVIS, Ill. (KWQC) – For the Brown family, Christmas is not about gifts and food. Instead, it is about making sure no one is alone on Christmas. And their inspiration comes from above.
“Sonya was, she fought cancer, and she was really a fighter,” said Vicki Brown, the sister-in-law of Sonya Brown.
Sonya Brown, a fighter who’s purpose in life has survived her passing, and lives on through a Christmas luncheon.
“Her real big passion, ever since Kristen was born, was to provide for other people,” Vicki said.
Family said today, Sonya found her mission in life after the birth of her daughter, Kristen. That passion was inclusion.
“She loved to make sure that people got together, that they sat together, that they ate good food, and she didn’t care who they were,” Vicki said.
A tradition, it seems, Sonya wanted to see continued.
“My husband and I, we were in church and he says to me after church he goes, ‘Vic, god tells me that I’m supposed to serve a meal,’” Vicki said.
Now every Christmas the Brown family serves a meal to family, friends and strangers at Faith Walk Outreach Center in Silivs, all in Sonya’s name.
“She loved having everybody come together and have fellowship with each other and so I know that she would really like this,and she would be like, ‘good job guys,’” said Sonya’s daughter Kristen Brown.
The family now making sure everyone has a home on Christmas.
“It’s kind of nice to meet people you know, talk, that’s what Christmas is about,” said one person in attendance, Chris Stohl.
“We used to have family get-together’s years ago but they all went to heaven now, so thanks to the family here I have a chance to get out and meet some people,” said Frank Fisher Jr. as he enjoyed a meal with some family members.
It’s a Christmas tradition, keeping the spirit of Sonya Brown alive for years to come.
“This is my Christmas. I hope to continue it for a long time,” Kristen said.
“God provides for it and he hasn’t told us to stop, so we’re not going to,” Vicki said.
This is the fourth year the family has provided this meal for the community.
