Parents Play Santa at Unique Holiday Workshop
St. Vincent’s Brings Toy Store to Village

   SAN DIEGO — More than 70 families living at St. Vincent de Paul Village will do their holiday shopping at Santa’s Workshop on Wednesday, December 11, and Thursday, December 12, at the Toussaint Teen Center, located at 1404 5th Street (corner of 5th and Ash), from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The optimum time for visual impact will be Wednesday before noon, as toys and clothing will deplete quickly during the two-day event.

   Parents will comb the aisles of the workshop, selecting one large, two medium and three small toys or clothing items for each of their children. For more than 12 years St. Vincent’s has held the unique shopping experience and Village President Fr. Joe Carroll says it’s a study in family unity.

   "We set it up so parents will have the chance to pick out, wrap and give the gifts to their children," he says. "Instead of St. Vincent’s or Santa giving the presents, the parents make it happen. In that simple way, we help restore their dignity as parents, as a family and as people."

   The workshop has been decorated by St. Vincent’s staff and set up in the fashion of a retail store. Volunteers from the Village’s Ladies Guild will be on hand to assist residents in wrapping their selected gifts.

   In addition to the workshop, the Toussaint Teen Center will play host to the St. Vincent de Paul Village Give-A-Thon, a 12-hour radio remote, hosted by KOGO and KPOP on Friday, December 20, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the annual event, listeners and the general public are invited to drop off cash, new clothes, diapers, baby formula, and other necessities for the 175 children receiving assistance from the Village.

   For more information on these events, call (619) 525-1608.

# # #