100% Volunteer Staff Gears Up for Most Challenging Year for Annual Christmas in the City Party for Boston's Homeless Children; Homeless Statistics Steadily on the Rise

Business Wire, Dec 11, 2001

News Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 2001

More than 1,000 Volunteers Work to Ensure Magical 2002 Holiday Party

for Homeless Children in Greater Boston

Now in its 13th year, the annual Christmas in the City "Winter Wonderland" party will take place again this December to provide a holiday celebration for over 2,000 homeless children in the Greater Boston area. A 100% volunteer organization, Christmas in the City was founded in 1989 by Jake and Sparky Kennedy, who are still looking for volunteers and donors to contribute to this year's party. In the wake of a down economy and numerous other charities that have high visibility this year due to the horrible acts of September 11, Christmas in the City still needs donations of all types to make sure the party is a success and can reach the ever-growing number of homeless children in the Boston area.

People or corporations who are interested in donating should please contact the Christmas in the City headquarters (in the Kennedy Brothers Physical Therapy downtown office) at 617/542-6611, or visit www.christmasinthecity.org. As the party draws closer, the organization still needs toys and other gifts for the over 1,500 homeless children. A great way for the Boston community to volunteer is by sponsoring a child, and helping to deliver that one special gift that the child might otherwise not receive. Cash donations are also welcomed to fulfill the hundreds of requests for families that won't be able to make this year's party; many reside in battered women's shelters and need to remain there for protection. Christmas in the City volunteers work to ensure that each and every child will have a special gift this holiday season, and delivers gifts to these locations.

Boston Community Never Fails

The Boston community has been overwhelmingly generous over the past 13 years to Christmas in the City, and this year is no exception. During the course of the weekend, 1,500 volunteers participate in the 2001 Christmas in the City Winter Wonderland party, as well as to donate supplies, food, and gifts for the expected guests. For the ninth year in a row, students from local high schools, such as Boston College High and Xaverian Brothers, have generously volunteered their weekend time to help set up and design the Winter Wonderland, and make the party look magical for the children. Also, at this year's party Healthcare For the Homeless (a nonprofit organization) will be giving medical advice to the parents that attend the party, which is always invaluable.

"We really hope to reach 100% of the children, and with the help of the Boston community, I have no doubt that we can reach that goal this year," said Christmas in the City Founder Jake Kennedy. "The outpouring of generosity from the volunteers is always overwhelming, and really signifies what the holiday `giving' season is all about. We hope and feel that this year will be no exception to that rule."

Party Details

This year's festivities will include a seven-course dinner, live music from choirs, popular bands and wonderful children's performers, as well as free holiday haircuts from Salon Pini of Newbury Street and an army of clowns, magicians and Christmas characters to work the audience. An exciting addition to this year's party includes The New England Revolution soccer team, who has generously donated their time to hand out posters to each child and will be playing indoor soccer with the kids.

Santa surprises all when he opens the "Winter Wonderland." As snow falls, the kids rush into a magical land with trains, carousels, moon bounces, magic mountains, petting zoos and pony rides. Zoo New England will bring in animals, but -- the most popular spot is always Santa's lap, for a very special photo. When the Winter Wonderland closes, that signifies the time for presents! Each child will receive gift bags with stuffed animals, hats, mittens, books and other appropriate toys. Santa then delivers a very special gift for the children, taken from their very own "wish list."

This year's party will take place at the Bayside Expo Center, Sunday, December 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Santa arrives at 1:15.

If you cover this story please do NOT print the location and date, as Christmas in the City plans and staffs the party based strictly on the names and numbers of those families who sign up through the numerous homeless shelters, and would not want to disappoint families that show up unexpectedly, as Christmas in the City would not have gifts ready for those children. Also, it is important to protect the location of the party on behalf of many of the battered women who reside in the shelters for protection and secrecy.

Christmas In The City is a 100% volunteer run non-profit organization. The mission is to support and mentor Boston's homeless families, and started out by just trying to make the holidays memorable for children staying in Boston area shelters. Today, through the efforts of its volunteers, Christmas in the City has expanded its work to include helping families make a successful transition from homelessness to independent living.