Santa
and his elves at the Archdiocese
By Patricia Manion
Special to The CS&T
Once upon a time — in 1967, to be exact — a dozen teenagers
decided it would be a good idea to deliver presents to 10 needy families
on Christmas Eve, bringing them some joy in the midst of financial struggles.
The teenagers dressed up like Santa and his elves, and spent their Christmas
Eve going from house to house delivering the presents to the children
of those families.
The thoughtfulness and kindness of those 12 teens became the inspiration
— and model — for an archdiocesan Christmas tradition that
has continued for nearly 40 years, sharing the hope of the Nativity
season with tens of thousands of children in the Philadelphia region.
And so, this week, on Dec. 8, the Office for Youth and Young Adults
is proud to open its doors for the 39th time to Operation Santa Claus.
The concept hasn’t changed much since 1967. Teenagers still dress
up like Santa and his elves.
But now, instead of going just to 10 families, the toys will be delivered
to 700 families and 25 community groups: Nearly 6,000 children will
receive presents for Christmas through the efforts of Operation Santa
and the thousands of people who volunteer or donate to this “little
toy drive.”
As Catholics, we are asked to take time in December to prepare for the
miraculuous feast of Christmas. What better way to prepare for Christ
than to serve His children? And so, I invite you, your family, and your
friends to become part of the miracle that is Operation Santa Claus.
How does this enormous endeavor come together? Of course, the project
culminates on Christmas Eve with the delivery of toys. But the work
begins much earlier.
Parishes, schools and local businesses from across the Archdiocese provide
toy donations. Without those donations, there will be no toys on Christmas
Eve.
From Dec. 8 until Dec. 21, the “Elf Patrol” will pick up
the donations, and bring them to the Archdiocese’s version of
Santa’s workshop — the Center City Wrapping Center. Every
day, high school students will come to the center with more toys and
wrapping paper, and will spend the afternoons sorting, wrapping, bagging
and boxing-up the toys.
You, too, can join the fun.
Then, on Dec. 24th, teenage volunteers will depart from three satellite
centers to deliver the Christmas gifts. After they’ve delivered
the toys, at 4:45 p.m. on Christmas Eve, they will join their fellow
volunteers and friends at Drexelbrook for a joyful Mass celebrated by
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph McFadden.
Operation Santa Claus can only come to life through the kindness of
volunteers. Without them — without you — there is no such
miracle.
Here are a few ways you and your family can assist:
• Collect Toys. We need new, unwrapped toys for children from
infants to age 14. (We always most need toys for boys and girls between
age 11 and age 14.)
• Donate batteries, wrapping paper and money to the program.
• Help set up satellite centers, and load and unload the Elf Patrol
trucks. Call 215-965-4636 to sign up.
• Help at the Wrapping Center. Wrap and bag toys any day between
Dec. 8 and Dec. 22. Call 215-965-4636 to sign up.
• Work on an Operation Santa Claus team (High school students
only). Find registration forms on the web at: www.oyya.org.
• Volunteer on Christmas Eve. Help at a satellite center, or at
the Christmas Eve return center.
For more information, visit on the web: www.oyya.org or call the Office
for Youth and Young Adults at 215-965-4636.
Patricia Manion is the director of the Office for Youth and Young
Adults.