Red Cross honors Hometown Heroes

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Next Wednesday the Pioneer Valley Red Cross honors a Springfield Clergyman and his daughter as hometown heroes for providing the homeless with hope for a better future.

The homeless have come to love and respect Pastor Gregg Dyson and his daughter Jessie during the past two and a half years. They've bonded into a close, deeply emotional relationship.

"He comes out Monday nights, 11 O'clock at night, I don't care how cold it is out, he's got blankets. If it's too cold he'll make you come in, I'm sleeping out with you, and I've got to call my wife and tell her I'm not coming home tonight," said homeless man Jesse.

Reverend Dyson's wife gives his homeless ministry her blessing. The Pastor of Springfield's Church of the Acres has assembled volunteers helping him accomplish his good work.

His mother, Lennegh Dyson, told 22News, she recognized this in him long ago. "I remember when Greg was a little boy, he came home from school without lunch, what happened to your lunch? and he said, I'm really hungry, because I gave my lunch away, and I thought It had to be a person with a big heart to give his lunch away so that someone else can eat."

The Dyson's tireless work with the homeless has taught them both a deeper feeling for these frequently misunderstood people living on the fringes of society.

"They taught me I'm not as smart as I thought I was," said hometown hereo Pastor Gregg Dyson.

"A lot of these people are very smart, very well educated poeple, they have families, they love life, they're very great people.
Gregg and Jessie are very much at ease with the homeless. It's not unusual finding them praying together. These hometown heroes told 22News, they will only feel completely fulfilled when one day all of the homeless have a place to go home to," said Gregg's daughter Jessie, hometown hero.

A great goal for us to understand the Bible says, the poor will always be with you, that they don't have to live on the street.