Nun who helps children, homeless, loses only mode of transportation

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Sister Judie does so much for people in Detroit using her own money, time and love to deliver food and clothes to the needy.

Around this time of the year she gives gifts to children but she just lost her only mode of transportation.

On Monday night Judie Ruggirello to deliver warm blankets to the homeless or as she calls them, "treasures of the street."

"It is wonderful," said Darlene Thomas, who is homeless. "The homeless (we) don't know what we would do without her. She is a lovely woman."

For the last 10 years through her organization Sisters of Christian Love, Sister Judie has made it her life's work to take care of those in need.

Working out of her Detroit home, each day she prepares 150 lunches to feed the hungry.

"We go to the streets to find the people," Ruggirello said. "It's very easy, I would say out of five days we run out five days."

She helps care for sick children, driving them daily to their hospital visits and comforting them in their final days.

"It's a blessing to be able to be with them," she said. "The parents need somebody there."

At the holidays with the help of donations and volunteers, Sister Judy delivers food and gifts to the poor bringing smiles to countless little faces.

"We give them a wish list," she said. "Like one little boy, the only thing he asked for was a pair of warm gloves for his mom. That broke my heart. But whatever they want, we try to get what's on the list."

But this year has become more challenging after a volunteer accidentally totaled her Dodge Caravan. Sister Judy just learned it would cost more to fix the minivan than what it's worth. It is something she simply can't afford.

Her selfless work depends on her transportation.

"It was how am I going to pick up the kids from the hospital is the biggest thing," Ruggirello said.

It's just a few days before Christmas - but Sister Judie refuses to lose faith.

One way or another, she will find a way to deliver the food and gifts to those who need it most. But right now Sister Judie just doesn't know how.

"I don't know how we'll do it but we'll do it because people need it and they deserve it," she said. "They give me much more than I could ever give them."

If you would like to help Sister Judie, contact her at (313) 320-1288 or online, find her organization at www.clsisters.org