Midnight Run volunteers mourn 'incredible' Lori Baird
By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — Several years ago, the First Presbyterian Church of Goshen joined forces with Midnight Run, an organization that distributes food, clothing, blankets and toiletries to homeless people living on the streets of New York City.
Parishioners make periodic early morning treks into the city to distribute the goods. One parishioner in particular, after participating in the Midnight Run, “fell in love with it,” said Pastor David Kingsley. "It became her baby."
That parishioner was Lori Baird.
Baird was only 48 when, on March 15, her life was cut short in an accident on Route 17, while driving home.
The Rev. Kingsley refers to Baird as “our own little bulldog for mission."
"She was brought up rough, living in a mobile home — always a tough girl who had to defend herself in life," said Kingsley.
Knowing firsthand how hard life can be, “she poured her heart into the service of others,” he said.
Baird was also a church Deacon for several terms, served as moderator, and headed the yearly Deacons' Craft Fair, raising funds for the Pastor's Discretionary Fund enabling him to help local people in need. But it was the Midnight Run that captured her heart.
Volunteers who worked with her on Midnight Run spoke of her as a great organizer, bringing the just right amount of sandwiches, soup, coffee, and clothing, and having enough drivers and co-pilots to haul the merchandise into the city, but one of her best skills, said friend Wendy Wade, was Lori's ability to get every individual to do his or her best.
“She had people do what they could do to the best of their individual ability, whether hoisting bags or making sandwiches,” Wade said.
So about four times a year, Baird stood at the podium in the church sanctuary and asked the congregation for donations of needed items, including bread, ham and turkey for sandwiches (each homeless person receives a bag lunch), chicken and carrots, and celery and onions, and egg noodles and broth, for an enormous pot of soup, and ladies and men's clothing — including new underwear and socks — shoes and boots, and depending on the season, outerwear, especially heavy coats in winter, and sample size toiletries.
Volunteers make soup and sandwiches fresh the day of the trip. Clothing and blankets are collected throughout the year. All non-perishables are stored at the GOVAC building on Park Place — now the Mission Building — where volunteers come to separate them into men and women's styles and by size.
“It takes a bunch of little efforts from an accumulation of people to make it a success,” said volunteer Laura Colacci, who's been involved for three years. "Lori was a great leader in that respect."
“By 10 p.m. we pulled into our first stop," said Kingsley. "Each car with a different type of item for the people to sort through. People were already waiting and even told us where to park."
Volunteers usually return to Goshen between 3 and 4 a.m. But their work still isn't done — any leftover clothing must be returned to the storage garage and put back into the correct bins.
Kingsley eecalled the last Midnight Run.
“After the second or third stop, the food had gotten cold," he said. "So Lori went into a deli and convinced the owner to heat up the soup and coffee for us. By the time Lori left his store, she was carrying out food donations that he had given her!”
Volunteer Pam Pylant agreed.
“The people are so appreciative, and often bless us," she said. "'God bless you' we hear time and again. These are people who are sleeping on cardboard.”
Volunteer John Redman said Baird not only kept the Midnight Run going, but expanded it by getting more people involved."
“It's amazing," said Redman, who has made three runs. "We run into all varieties of homeless people. They aren't all mentally ill or drug addicts, but some have just fallen on hard times for other reasons. But one thing for sure, they're all so grateful. We've never had any problems.”
Colacci said Baird "gave it her all, making sure as many people as possible received food and clothes."
"I've done it all from separating clothes to preparing food," she said. "In fact, one year we needed more scarves, so I crocheted a bagful. Lori made sure we never brought food home. We'd give people a little extra or drop it off at a shelter on our way home.”
Glasse said that after going on a Midnight Run, Girl Scout Victoria Garloch was so inspired that she chose to start the Warwick Community Kitchen for her Gold Project. It's been operating now for four years.
Glasse is an old hand at the Midnight Run, having made 10 trips. His absolute favorite is the early morning “Brunch Run,” when volunteers stay in one spot and make hot, cooked breakfasts over a camp stove.
“There we are, cooking eggs on the streets of New York City for over 100 people," he said. "It's incredible."
Glasse used the same word to describe Baird.
“She was incredible," he said. "Her doggedness to get the job done was incredible. If Lori had to do it alone, she would have done it.”
The ministry at the First Presbyterian Church of Goshen, 33 Park Place, is one of the reasons Glasse and his wife, Paty, became members.
“Ministry is strongly inherent in the bones and structure of the Goshen First Presbyterian Church, and it's why we travel from Warwick to go to church in Goshen," he said.
Glasse says it's important to help others through programs like the Midnight Run.
“Lori touched a lot of lives,” he said. “She'll be sorely missed. We're committed to Lori and the Midnight Run. It will not die. There are enough people, commitment and willingness here at the church to keep it going. Bottom line. End of discussion.”