Each year, Santa Shop is simple.
 

We want to provide help and hope so that parents or guardians can make a child’s Christmas morning memorable.
 

“My three children would not have had Christmas without this,” said Michelle, who is in one of our off-campus housing programs. “It helps to be able to ask for what my children need versus what someone wants to buy them.”
 

On Saturday, Dec. 13, we provided 403 children with Christmas gifts at the 29th Annual Santa Shop on our Special Works Campus.
 

Instead of our traditional “shopping mall” setup, we transitioned to a “shop for a child” model, focusing on the children (ages infant to 17 years old) we directly serve through our housing programs and SVDP par­ish-based conference outreach. Parents or guardians completed a wish list form on behalf of their child.
 

Monisha, a mother of seven, was very appreciative for the holiday support (pictured above).
 

“It takes the burden off. Recently, my one-year-old got sick. I missed work for some time and had to resign from my job,” Monisha said. “I teach my kids to be appreciative no matter what they receive.”
 

One parent even received three bikes for her children.
 

The distribution day had roughly 60 volunteers who worked in two-hour shifts. There were greeters, campus guides, stock­ers, and those who distributed gifts. Elves accompanied each family and helped assist them with their gifts.
 

“It’s one of my family’s favorite holiday traditions,” said Lesley DePaola, who volunteers each year with family and friends. “The need is great in our community, and this is a way that really sets the intention for the holidays for my family ... So, it’s a very rewarding experience and we’re grateful for the work that St. Vincent de Paul does.”
 

Volunteer Rachael Hunt shopped with her daughter, who attends Sacred Heart Model School.
 

“It was a great opportunity to teach my kids to see the need right here and do something for the community,” Hunt said. “To give parents the dignity to give gifts to their children. That’s the magical part of it.”
 

“I grew up riding a bike,” added Kendrick Ford, whose family supported two children. “The first item on the boy’s wish list was a blue bike. I was like, ‘They’ve got to have it.’ The other needed a car seat. That was a no brainer. This is a good cause, and everyone needs a little cheer on Christmas morning for their kids.”
 

Thank you to the hundreds of individual donors who shopped for children and made this event possible. A special thank you to several large group gift donations, including conferences at Ascension, Epiphany, St. Brigid / St. James, and St. Raphael. The Notre Dame Academy sixth graders took a class shopping trip to support 20 children.
 

“This is both an academic and service activity for our students,” said DeeDee Nauert, Children’s Faith Formation Coordinator. “The sixth graders showed their willingness to serve others for those children less fortunate than themselves. The students knocked it out of the park.”
 

For the fifth year in a row, Tilley’s Book Table, led by sisters Kim Sweet and Sharon Merker, brought more than 1,000 books.
 

“We meet the interests of the families. It’s a labor of love,” Merker said.
 

A Special Street in Crescent Hill

Marie White-Robinson sent a message to her neighbors in Crescent Hill, and was blown away by their response.
 

Initially, Robinson thought her street might support 15 children for Santa Shop, but her neighbors rallied to shop for 30 children. Roughly ten families took two to three children each.
 

“Our family is all about giving back to the community,” said Robinson, a mother with twins. “This neighborhood is fantastic … In these times, the most important thing, reaching out and helping community, is how we’re going to move forward.”
 

Holiday Cheer Bags

As a new option, Holiday Cheer Bags supported nearly 150 adult Veteran, shelter, and transitional housing clients who live on campus and receive supportive services. Each Holiday Cheer Bag consisted of personal care items, winter weather items, reusable water bottles, or holiday snacks.
 

Thank you to AssuredPartners (pictured bottom right), Holy Spirit Catholic Church, and Holy Trinity Catholic School, and longtime volunteer Becky Duncan, for supporting this.
 

“AssuredPartners was pleased to provide 68 Holiday Cheer Bags for those in need,” said Office Manager Janet Mattern. “We are fortunate to give back to our community.”
 

Special Meals

The Open Hand Kitchen served a special meal on Thanksgiving and Christmas to clients on our campus and those from the community. Forty-seven volunteers ensured our guests experienced the joy of a warm holiday meal and companionship.