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 Tuesday, December 14, at the Toussaint Academy of the Arts and Sciences, 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 before noon, as toys and clothing will deplete quickly during the course of the 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 13 years St. Vincentís has held the unique shopping experience and Village President Father Joe Carroll says itís 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 with wrapping their selected gifts.

   For more information (media only) on St. Vincent de Paul Village's Santa's Workshop, call (619) 446-2726.

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