Boston's Christmas In The City Event Brings Joy To Thousands Of Needy Kids
BOSTON (CBS) -- About 4,000 children and their parents participated in the 25th annual Christmas in the City event at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in the city's South Boston neighborhood Sunday.
Over the years, Christmas in the City has grown by leaps and bounds. The nonprofit, which has no paid staff, started 1989 with a Christmas Party at Boston City Hall for 165 children and their parents who were living in city homeless shelters, according to the group's website, christmasinthecity.org.
In addition to providing an annual Christmas party for children and their families, Christmas in the City now has programs year-round, including a Thanksgiving food drive for needy families, an Adopt-a-Family program to help families transition from living in shelters to living in their own homes, and financial aid and employment services to help struggling families become self-sufficient.
On Sunday, children were treated with amusement park rides, candy, gifts, a visit by Mr. and Mrs. Claus and several winter-themed activities.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports
Boston's Christmas In The City Event Brings Joy To Thousands Of Needy Kids
Gov. Deval Patrick attended the event and presented a special commendation to the nonprofit's founders, Jake and Sparky Kennedy. "Twenty-five years of love and kindness and generosity," he said.
