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Huw died of colon cancer in July 1993, Nora decided ro honor his
memory by putting the idea into action. She took a sabbatical from
her teaching job and devoted her time, with help from Crenshaw
and other friends, to creating the first event, held in December
1993 in a vacant Camarillo storefront.
"That first year, as we overcame so many obstacles to make
it happen, we could feel Huw guiding us," Howells says. "Every
year, we still feel Huw's presence, and we know that in some
way, he is praying tor us.”
Today, the three-day event alternates annually among churches
in Howells' hometown of Thousand Oaks and Crenshaws home
town of Camarillo (pop. 57,077). A Friday night gala opens the
festivities with music, food and a silent auction. On Saturday and
Sunday, thousands of people come to view the Nativities, which
range from crystal and porcelain figurines to cornhusk dolls and
teddy bears. Admission costs S 3 per person or $5 per family.
"It’s amazing that with 600 Nativities, we have no duplicates,"
says Crenshaw, who owns 238 Nativity sets.
Dr. Jim Decker-Mahin, pastor of Camarillo United Meth
odist Church, which hosted last year’s No Room at the Inn. sees
an important message in the women's efforts. “They have found
a way to combine the spiritual and artistic with the practical
and tangible—sharing the Nativity story in order to help the
homeless," Decker-Mahin says.
Howells, Crenshaw and a 37-member committee begin
working in September to organize the fund-raiser and its large
display. "You cl think wed be tired, but we have so much fun
doing this that you never hear a word of complaint.” says How
ells, who has 175 sets in her collection. “Were truly blessed by
the spirit of Christmas.”
In 2005, No Rixim at the Inn donated $18,500 to 16 Ventura
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County homeless programs, including the Turn
ing Point Foundation and the Winter Warming
Shelter. Since its inception, the event has raised
more than $135,000.
“No Room at the Inn performs a great ser
vice for the community," says Cathy Brudnicki,
board president of the Ventura County Homeless
and Housing Coalition. "Most agencies use the
money they get from No Room at the Inn for
matching funds. They have to prove community
support, and this money certainly shows that."
In recent years, the No Room at the Inn concept
has been adopted by communities in Dallas, Pa.
(pop. 2,557); Port Clinton, Ohio (pop. 288); Des
Moines, Iowa; Billings, Mont.; and Lincoln, Neb.
Crenshaw is amazed at how the idea has
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Visitors admire the large variety of Nativities.
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