The holidays are a busy season for everyone, especially those who ensure no families are left without a Christmas celebration.
The local charitable community has a busy schedule of holiday parties, toy and food donations, and other heartwarming efforts.
Volunteers at the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church plan to host several events this month, but the church actually helps its ever-growing list of needy families throughout the year.
Members of the congregation visit nursing homes two Sundays each month, but at Christmastime, they bring a special gift. They collect $1 items for weeks, then decorate baskets and fill them with the goodies.
Pamela Prophet, a missionary of the church, said, "We do this stuff all year, but we pep up the step for the Christmas holidays."
The entire congregation — from the very youngest members — joins in festive activities. For starters, the children will participate in a Christmas play Saturday from 1-5 p.m. at the St. Matthew Fellowship Hall at 2319 Fitzwater St.
Children are also the focus of the congregation’s newest holiday idea.
The youth ministry, led by Kimberly Jones, created the Kids in Service giving tree. Children can take a tag containing a name and wish off the tree and purchase a gift for another child.
"We want to instill in our children the importance of giving and blessing someone less fortunate than themselves," Prophet said. They hope to teach the kids that Christmas is not always about receiving, she added.
The Philadelphia Society for Services to Children (PSSC) also has been getting in the spirit this holiday season. The agency’s angel tree, similar to the one at Greater St. Matthew, will be filled with children’s ages and wish lists. Community members of any age can purchase a gift.
PSSC, which specializes in child abuse prevention and child advocacy, puts forth a special effort to brighten youngsters’ lives during Christmas. The organization will run its annual holiday toy shop Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Through generous donations from various organizations, businesses, churches and individuals, PSSC will provide parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles the chance to choose the perfect gift for a child free of charge. The toy shop is located at the center at 415 S. 15th St.
This year, donations are needed more than ever, as an overwhelming amount of families are on a list to pick gifts. Any new, unwrapped toys, books and clothing can be donated and must be ready for pickup or delivery by tomorrow.
Also collecting toys for the needy is St. Gabriel’s Parish, based at 2917 Dickinson St. The parish is accepting food donations for Christmas week events.
Sister Felice, the pastoral minister of St. Gabriel’s, said after finishing a Thanksgiving Day drive that fed more than 750 people, the church began preparations for its Christmas events.
On Dec. 21 from 1-4 p.m., church volunteers will prepare a Christmas dinner for anyone in the community. The following day, toys for children 12 and under will be given to families in need. Sister Felice said registration for toys is required.
Two other local groups — the Point Breeze Business Association and the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center — will join forces to spread community cheer. In what has become a neighborhood tradition, merry-makers will sing Yuletide tunes on their Christmas Caroling Caravan of gifts Tuesday.
The performing arts center also will hold a Christmas show featuring youths ages 6-18 at the Drake Theater, 15th and Spruce streets, on Dec. 18.
The business association decorated trees on Point Breeze Avenue celebrating life, love and liberty, said Point Breeze corridor manager Alice Gabbadon.
"We want to ‘deck the Breeze’ by making it festive with Christmas carols and decorations, helping to heal the community," she said.
Plenty of ways to help
To donate coats, $1 items or hygiene products to Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church, call 215-790-4754 or drop off donations at 2319 Fitzwater St.
For additional information about PSSC’s holiday toy shop, contact Laurie A. Haines at 215-875-4976 or lhaines@pssckids.org.
To donate food or toys to St. Gabriel Church, contact Sister Felice at 215-334-2620 or leave a message at 215-334-0374.
To donate canned goods or toys to the Point Breeze Business Association, drop off donations at 1421 Point Breeze Ave. with Joan Harcum. Donations also can be dropped off at South Philadelphia Homes weekdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at 1314 S. 22nd St., or call 215-334-4430.
