ROANOKE RAPIDS — Gary Khera found a place to welcome his donation. Khera, a Sikh whose attempt to help the Union Mission was turned down because he refused to take off his turban, will be cooking for a Dec. 18 foster child party, along with his wife, Gwendolyn. They have also agreed to adopt two elderly couples and take them shopping and donate food baskets to them. The donation plan came after discussions with Halifax County Social Services Director Mike Felt. “It was a positive meeting,” Felt said Tuesday. “It was very favorable. What we found was we hadn’t got many donations for food for foster children. It was entirely positive. We talked about a number of subjects. They were two very nice people. We seem to have a lot in common and that is to help people.” Khera also said the meeting was positive and he and his wife learned there will be 34 foster children at the annual party. “We asked what we could d for the foster kids,” Khera said Tuesday. “My wife will cook and we will be responsible for the food.” The discussion also led Khera to learn there were elderly people who needed help. “Some of them are lonely,” he said. “My wife and me are going to take two couples and put a food basket together. We’re going to take them shopping for Christmas.” Khera was impressed with Felt. “He was so very humble, he was so respectful.” The Union Mission Board of Directors has apparently not addressed the matter and its chairman, Jeff Holm, had no comment when reached yesterday. In a Nov. 20 e-mail — which was two days after Khera offered the donation — to the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Rev. Ron Weeks, executive director of the Mission, said, “We are a Christ-centered ministry that has been serving our communities ‘in Jesus name’ from our own private facilities since 1951. We have a long-standing policy that is clearly displayed on our lobby door that all males are required to remove head gear. We feed meals every day and welcome the idea of others doing the same as our communities are certainly in need of more than we are able to do.” In the e-mail, Weeks continues, “Being supported totally by donations we don’t turn them away. Couldn’t his donation be used by the local Langar (a free kitchen) you speak of? I can think of several options; send it by another person, mail or Internet … donate to another charity.” Khera said the Union Mission has not offered an apology. He believes the faith-based Mission should change its head cover policy to reflect those worn for religious reasons. He would also like to see a workshop in the area so people can understand different religions. “We need to know to bring peace together so we don’t hurt anyone’s feelings and create more love,” Khera said. Lance Martin, Herald Senior Staff Writer http://www.rrdailyherald.com/articles/2008/11/28/news/doc493031e390245451129102.txt
