A Teen’s Holiday Mission: Honoring Her Late Twin Sister
Seventeen-year-old Rose Kulungian is making a significant impact this holiday season by distributing 1,500 items to residents in need across central Alabama. This initiative is not just about providing warmth during the cold winter months; it’s a heartfelt tribute to her late twin sister, Lilly Belle.
With freezing temperatures expected in the region, Rose and her team are working quickly to deliver winter coats, blankets, hats, and socks to those experiencing homelessness. However, the mission goes beyond just offering physical comfort—it’s a celebration of a bond that began in a hospital room 17 years ago.
A Legacy of Love and Generosity
Rose and Lilly were born identical twins, but their lives took different paths from the start. Lilly faced significant health challenges right from birth. She was born at 3 pounds, 6 ounces and was blind, diagnosed with malignant infantile osteopetrosis, a rare genetic bone disorder that prevented her body from producing blood products.
During frequent hospital stays for Lilly’s treatments, including a bone marrow transplant, the family began bringing toys to share with other families facing similar hardships. This act of kindness became a tradition that would shape Rose’s life.
“We kind of started this all together,” Rose said. “We would go out in the hospital and she was sick, so she would give them to all the other sick kids, and she would make friends with them in the hospitals and stuff. And I remember her favorite toys we gave out were Hot Wheels. She loved Hot Wheels.”
Lilly passed away at the age of five, but Rose has continued and expanded the drive in her honor. This year’s collection includes stuffed animals, coloring books, and blankets wrapped with prayer cards and Bible verses.
“My favorite is the stuffed animals that we have and we have so many and we have them in all different sizes,” Rose said.
Growing the Mission
The operation has grown significantly from its humble beginnings. This year’s inventory was sourced from God’s House of Hope in Los Angeles. Logistics were provided by TC Motorsports, a race team owned by Rose’s father, which used an 18-wheeler to transport the donations from California to Birmingham.
“My dad’s race team, TK Motorsports, drives it in their 18-wheeler all the way from there to Birmingham, and we sort it all, load it up and just distribute it,” Rose said. “And just everybody helps out.”
Rose has also added a personal touch to the initiative this year by incorporating her hobby of baking. She is distributing homemade Christmas cookies and brownies at every stop to provide a sense of holiday normalcy.
“While they’re waiting outside the gates of the Jimmie Hale Mission, they can have blankets, hats and all that. And then I wanted to add warm cookies into it so they can kind of get the Christmas feeling, too,” she said.
Spreading Joy and Faith
The group launched the distribution drive outside Birmingham City Hall and plans to visit fire stations, schools, and area shelters, including Pathways and Jimmie Hale Mission, throughout the week.
For Rose, the drive is deeply spiritual. She recalled a past distribution where recipients gathered for a moment of faith.
“One of the men had gotten everybody all crowded around the gate after everything was like handed out, and they were all wrapped up in their blankets and we all started to pray together,” Rose said. “We were doing all this stuff for God. That’s the reason we do it all.”
How You Can Help
Those interested in volunteering, donating items, or assisting with baking can text Rose at 205-852-4717.