'Christmas In The City' Needs Help Making Holiday Special For Thousands Of Kids
BOSTON (CBS) -- It's been happening every year in Boston for more than 25 years, but Christmas in the City needs your help as the Kennedy family and scores of volunteers throw a giant party for kids in need.
Founder Jake Kennedy told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 they'll be helping out more than 15,000 kids this year.
This Sunday, 4,500 children from Greater Boston homeless shelters will be given presents. Twelve-thousand more from poverty-stricken neighborhoods will get gifts Monday, he said.
The non-profit organization will send out 170 school buses to pick up kids who will have "what many have told us...is the greatest day of their life," Kennedy said.
When they arrive at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on Summer Street, Kennedy said children and their families will walk down a red carpet and be greeted by costumed characters and large Christmas displays.
As part of the festivities, families will receive a holiday meal and a choir will perform.
One of the highlights will be when Santa Claus arrives on a cherry picker. He'll unveil the Winter Wonderland, where snow will be falling and kids can enjoy pony rides, climbing walls, fire trucks, and gingerbread houses.
Multiple booths will be run by the Museum of Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Children's Museum, Zoo New England and the New England Aquarium.
A Boston Celtics basketball court and a New England Revolution soccer field also will be set up, Kennedy said.
Parents can attend a job fair for themselves at the event while their kids get flu shots, dental exams, and haircuts.
Kennedy recalled how far Christmas in the City has come since its inception.
"We found 165 children 27 years ago and decided not just to give them a present, but give them the present from their wish list," he told WBZ Thursday. "Through volunteers coming out of the woodwork, it has just grown and grown."
The Kennedy family kick-started the cause, which is solely run by volunteers.
"We started it because we felt our kids were getting too much," Kennedy said, "And we'd never imagined the compassion and the generosity from the community."
They're asking for the public's help because "we desperately need gifts and money."
Some business have provided services, including the Seaport Hotel in Boston. Their valet will take unwrapped and wrapped presents from you while you're still in your car. You can also drop off gifts at Lexington Toyota on Massachusetts Avenue and all Kennedy Brothers Physical Therapy locations.
"Everyone's reaching out because we've never had this demand and we really need the presents," he said.
For more information, visit the Christmas in the City website.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Deb Lawler reports
