Jingle Bell Gents and the Work Behind It
Gaston County United Way’s seventh annual Jingle Bell Gents event was held Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Gastonia Conference Center, with the program set for 12 PM. United Way listed Rod Smith, former Carolina Panther and Green Bay Packer, as the guest speaker.
United Way of Gaston County describes its mission as, “To unite our community to help and care for one another.” () On its Community Impact page, United Way says it works to fill gaps in local human services through funding, volunteers, and collections, with a focus on health, education, and financial stability. () The same page also shares examples of outcomes it tracks, including student participation in youth programs and crisis assistance support distributed to the community.
How this connects with Flynn Home
Recovery is not just a decision someone makes. It is often a long stretch of small, repeated choices made in the middle of normal life. It gets harder when someone does not have a safe place to sleep, steady meals, reliable transportation, or people around them who expect them to show up and keep going.
Flynn Fellowship Home exists to help make recovery more realistic for men who need a stable, structured place to live. We provide recovery housing with accountability and support, and we emphasize connection to the recovery community. For many residents, the basics matter first. A consistent routine. A room that stays quiet at night. A kitchen table where people can sit down, eat, and talk. A home environment where honesty is expected and isolation is challenged.
We also know recovery is not only about avoiding alcohol and drugs. It is about learning how to live again. Holding a job. Repairing relationships. Keeping appointments. Getting through conflict without blowing up or shutting down. Building a life that can take a bad day without falling apart.
Video from the event
Below is a short video of Todd McLean, AA, CADC, ACRPS, Flynn Home’s Executive Director, recorded at the event. It can also be viewed at https://youtu.be/yMoAwhGOt7g