Charities Spread Holiday Cheer to Poor Children, Homeless

December 23, 2011

The Christmas holiday season for many Americans is a time for giving and helping those who are less fortunate

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Hundreds of children in this low-income neighborhood come to an annual holiday party at the Children's Institute, a private charity. They meet Santa Claus and take home gifts donated by the toymaker Mattel and other companies.

Mary Collins is a retired business executive and longtime volunteer who serves on the charity's board of trustees. She says the party is the highlight of the year for the children.

"They aren't able to have Christmas presents under their tree on Christmas morning," said Collins. "And because of all the wonderful companies and people who volunteer, they're able to come and pick out a present and a book and participate."

Katherine Martinez, 11, comes here often for after-school programs, and her mother, Rosa, takes a class on parenting skills. Rosa Martinez says the moms and kids are enjoying the party.

"We have fun, and they can have presents and enjoy with other friends and other people around us," said Martinez.

The party is a chance for kids to forget the many social problems they face in their neighborhood, says Nina Revoyr, the institute's executive vice president.

"Community violence, things happening in their neighborhoods, also things like child abuse and neglect, domestic violence," said Revoyr. "Even kids that might be traumatized just because something terrible has happened in their families."