DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK ) – As people gather for the holidays, St. Vincent De Paul of Green Bay is giving back to those who don’t have a place to call home.
The organization held its first Christmas party for the homeless in the community.
Christmas carols filled the air at the St. Norbert Campus Center Sunday afternoon.
Those staying at two local homeless shelters were invited by St. Vincent De Paul of Green Bay, to be part of a holiday celebration.
Chris McCarthy is the president of the Green Bay district council society of St Vincent De Paul. She tells FOX 11 there were 60 families living in their cars in the city last year.
“We felt like we wanted to do something, besides eliminate homelessness, and we wish we could do that.”
Those invited were welcomed with a warm meal. Following that, families could participate in a number of holiday-themed activities, such as cookie decorating and reading a book.
“It’s a hard thing being in a car at Christmas time and holidays are so hard for them,” said McCarthy. “We just wanted to give them an afternoon of fun.”
Parents are able to pick out a variety of gifts for their children, such as toys. If the kids are feeling generous themselves, they can pick out their very own gifts to give to their parents for Christmas.
5-year-old Levi Smith says he’s very excited to get gifts this Christmas. But he’s also excited to give his parents presents that he chose all on his own.
“I picked Mommy a ring, and a hat. I picked Daddy a wallet.”
“I’m always able to see myself in the younger kids and see the light in their eyes, and their twinkle,” said Jon Runyan, guard for the Green Bay Packers.
Runyan chose Green Bay’s St. Vincent De Paul as his My Cause My Cleats charity. He joined in on helping put on this year’s Christmas party.
“When I met Chris, she gave me that opportunity and there’s been a lot of planning put into this and it’s just really awesome what we were able to do,” said Runyan.
St. Vincent De Paul plans on making the Christmas party an annual event.
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