Holiday Services
Christmas Meals – Programs that provide a hot Christmas meal in a congregate setting for low-income and homeless individuals and families who might otherwise have no opportunity to celebrate the holidays. Also included are programs that deliver Christmas meals to people’s homes.
Christmas Parties – Programs that sponsor social gatherings during the Christmas season for groups of children, older adults, or other community residents who might otherwise have no opportunity to celebrate the holiday. Small gifts are often distributed to attendees.
Santa Claus Appearances – Programs that hire people to play Santa Claus and talk with children about the gifts they want during the Christmas season. “Santa” may make appearances in local department stores and shopping malls, visit children who are hospitalized or in other institutional settings, ride on floats during Christmas parades, or be available to attend private holiday parties.
Holiday Gifts/Toys – Programs, generally supported by donations from the community, that provide gifts such as clothing, toys, and other items to help low-income individuals and families, older adults, hospital patients, and others celebrate any of the annual holidays.
Christmas Festivals – Programs that sponsor special events during the Christmas season which may feature decorated trees, displays of decorated wreaths, gingerbread houses, stocking parlors, food, entertainment, holiday crafts shopping, live reindeer, and appearances by Santa.
