With dark clouds threatening rain, dozens of people lined up Monday as Catholic Charities delivered Christmas gifts and more to families in need.
Members of the Knights of Columbus and others served as elves for the giveaway event for pre-screened families.
“I feel like I’m called to volunteer. It’s great to give back our time to the community,” said Santa Maria resident Juanita Chavarin, who was among those helping out Monday.
Toys, stashed away in black plastic bags, were ready for pickup by families who had completed the screening process earlier. The 145 families participating added up to almost 700 clients identified during the Dec. 1 signup session.
Toys handed out Monday came from the Santa Maria U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots collection drive.
It wasn’t just toys they received. They also were given a bag of food provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, plus warm blankets collected by parishioners of St. Louis de Montfort and St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Churches and the Knights of Columbus Councils from both.
They also received a bag of hygiene supplies with toothbrushes, toothpaste and more provided by Direct Relief.
While the adults collected the items, some youngsters couldn’t resist the lure of Santa Claus and a table of treats, including granola bars, candy canes and mints, some shyly waving from afar and others confidently walking up to the jolly man in the red suit.
Catholic Charities of Santa Maria serves the broader Santa Maria Valley including Santa Maria, Orcutt, Casmalia, Orcutt, Los Alamos, Garey, Guadalupe, Tepusquet Canyon and the Cuyama Valley.
In 2024, Catholic Charities will celebrate 60 years of providing services locally.
Of the six Catholic Charities’ programs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, Santa Maria’s provides help to the largest number of unduplicated clients, representatives said.
Donations to support the programs, which include regular food giveaways, can be mailed to Catholic Charities of Santa Maria, 607 W. Main St., Santa Maria, CA 93458.
