Tables stacked with toys, clothes, and more gifts were at DuPage Children’s Museum as elves prepped Santa’s Shop, for some holiday shoppers. Bridge Communities’ 21st annual Family Holiday Party gave its community members a chance to do some free holiday shopping and get in the holiday spirit of giving.
Free Holiday Shopping
“The Santa Shop what it is the child is coming in here and shopping for their family members, said Mary Slade, the Children’s Activities and Education Manager at Bridge Communities. “They are not shopping for themselves; they’re shopping for something to give on Christmas morning to their family members.”
After selecting their gifts, the holiday shoppers had them wrapped and dedicated to their loved ones. Parents also had the opportunity to do a little bit of holiday shopping of their own.
What is Bridge Communities?
Bridge Communities provides free 2-year transitional housing to homeless families in DuPage County. They offer programs like budgeting and help adults find better employment.
“We’re trying to give these families and ordinary life and build them to a life of self-sufficiency and to build a support system out there in the community,” said Slade.
Bridge’s Partner
This is the second year in a row Bridge Communities has teamed up with Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club, who were in charge of gift donations and running Santa’s Shop.
Along with some holiday shopping, families were also given a free meal and a chance to meet the man in red.
“You know it doesn’t take a lot physically or financially to help to create a sense of happiness and self-worth on another person,” said Anne Henriksen, the president of the Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club. “It’s just you have to demonstrate that to another person that you truly care about that person.”
Naperville News 17’s Christian Canizal reports.
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