KINDNESS AND CONTRIBUTION

On Christmas Day, Fernell High Shows Up

Every morning at the Crystal Building on East 33rd Street, home base for Care For the Homeless, Fernell High moves through the halls with ease. He knows the building inside and out. As superintendent, he is dependable, friendly, and vigilant. He greets staff, checks on the day’s operations, and makes sure everything is running as it should.

What most people don’t know is what Fernell does outside these halls, especially when the rest of the city is home celebrating Christmas.

For nearly two decades, Fernell has organized and served a full Christmas Day meal at homeless shelters across New York City. Each year, he selects a different shelter. But for the past five years, he has brought that tradition to Susan’s Place, our flagship women’s shelter in the Bronx—not before Christmas, not after, but on Christmas Day itself.

“I do it on Christmas Day because nobody really shows up on Christmas Day,” Fernell said. “Everybody’s doing something the week before or the week after. But that day matters.”

Fernell’s holiday meal is carefully planned and always generous. This year’s menu included fried chicken (plenty of it), along with garlic bread, meatballs, and macaroni and cheese. Chocolate cake was served for dessert and quickly became a favorite. Served in three rounds, the Christmas meal fed approximately 175 women in the Susan’s Place dining room.

Even the setting is part of Fernell’s act of care. He insists on tablecloths for every table, a small but meaningful detail that transforms the dining room into a true holiday feast.

Fernell is quick to point out that the day comes together through the generosity of many. Volunteers from the Harlem Youth Baseball program he coaches helped serve the meal. An 80-years-young woman from his local church in Westchester—who he affectionately calls “the old lady”—prepared and cut the bread. His boss at SAMCO, the building management company he’s worked for for 32 years, donated the gift bags and coordinated with local businesses to fill them with personal care items. Fernell personally covers the remaining costs.

“Everybody has something to give,” Fernell said. “Anyone can give money and that’s important, but I like to give back with my time. And for this, when people hear it’s for the homeless, they want to help. They just need someone to ask.”

Fernell’s commitment to service began long before Susan’s Place. For more than 30 years, he has volunteered with the Coalition for the Homeless, a peer organization of Care For the Homeless. Why? He recalls an important moment during one of his morning commutes years ago, seeing people step over an unhoused man sleeping in Grand Central Station. He asked himself, How can you not see a person? Ever since then, he’s wanted to be part of helping. 

“People think homelessness just became a problem,” Fernell said. “It’s always been a problem. We just haven’t done enough about it.”

That same instinct to help led Fernell to found Harlem Youth Baseball, a nonprofit program that serves hundreds of kids each year.

“I’ve always been passionate about helping people, and I love coaching baseball,” he said. “You can’t just live this life for you.”

Next, Fernell plans to launch Second Chance Security, a new company that will employ individuals who have experienced homelessness as security guards. He told us that “everyone deserves that kind of second chance.”

For Care For the Homeless, Fernell’s Christmas meal—and his lifetime of generosity—reflect the heart of our organization’s mission.

“What Fernell does on Christmas Day embodies the very best of us as New Yorkers,” said George Nashak, President and CEO of Care For the Homeless. “He shows up with compassion, dignity, and deep respect for the people we serve. We’re so proud to know him and so grateful to him for making the holiday special for the women of Susan’s Place.”

“One thing you can’t get back in life is time,” Fernell said. “So how you spend it matters.”

On Christmas Day, Fernell High spends his time at Susan’s Place. He lays out tablecloths, serves hot food, and reminds everyone in the room that they are seen, valued, and worthy of care. 

And chocolate cake.