BOSTON – A beloved nonprofit that provides toys to families in need is hoping for a Christmas miracle. Christmas in the City does not have enough donations this year.
“They are greeted by rows of volunteers clapping for them. They step onto a red carpet as snow falls. It’s just magical,” Sparky Kennedy said with a smile, remembering children arriving in the city at Christmas.
For more than 35 years, that magic has been made possible by her family and their passionate army of volunteers. Christmas in the City is committed to bringing comfort and joy to families in the Boston area who are homeless and poor.
Toys are running out due to high demand
“The demand is greater. I’ve never done this before. I’ve been doing this for ten years. They’ve been around much longer. I’ve never run out of toys,” says volunteer Max Julien.
But now if the North Pole has a panic button, Christmas in the City will press it.
‘Santa Claus must come. I need Santa Claus. I need a miracle,” Julien said.
There is talk of the toys on the shelves at 34 Bromfield Street in Boston. And a large pile of wishes still have to be fulfilled.
“The earliest registration was on November 8. You can’t turn around and say someone stole Christmas,” Julien explained.
Gift vouchers requested
Christmas in the City has plenty of toys for children under the age of six. But they’re hoping for help in the form of gift cards so older kids can choose exactly what they want.
“Amazon, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Foot Locker. You know teenage things. That’s what I need,” Julien said.
A lot has changed in recent years: the pandemic and the way crowds could celebrate safely; and the heartbreaking loss of the organization’s founder and father to ALS. But Jake Kennedy’s persistent spirit is still palpable all around them during this mission.
“We certainly do. We think it’s a great tribute to him. We certainly feel it in everything we get to do based on what he built,” Chip Kennedy said with his mother Sparky.
How to donate
If you can’t get to the Bromfield Street location, the Seaport Hotel is happy to accept donations this week. It’s as simple as going to the clerk, handing over a toy or gift certificate and making a family happy for Christmas.
For more information, visit christmasinthecity.org.
