Kids To Get Christmas Gifts For 1st Time Thanks To Volunteers
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Christmas is about a month away, but many churches in Pittsburgh are preparing now.
Hundreds of volunteers have been working to provide gifts to millions of children who have never received a Christmas present.
It's not the North Pole and they aren't Santa's elves, but they are just as busy packing hundreds of boxes with gifts.
"We are a relay center. We collect shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child here in our church from all over from Boy Scout troops, Girl Scout troops, other civic organizations, other churches," Karen Hartnett said.
There's not much room in the halls of Homestead Park United Methodist Church. Boxes are stacked in every nook and cranny of the church.
"To see the children that are eager and excited as they bring shoeboxes in and bring them to the altar are boxed up today and on their way and you can see all the energy of all the volunteers that are here. It's a great team effort," Rev. Chuck Jack said.
As a regional drop off point, the church accepts other boxes from around the South Hills.
The boxes are packed and ready to be distributed around the world through a group called Samaritan's Purse. It was a vision of Franklin Graham, the son of Rev. Billy Graham.
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