2013-12-22-Boston, MA-Christmas in the City by...

I spent yesterday as a volunteer at "Christmas in the City", an event now in its 22nd year that seeks to provide homeless kids in Boston with a happy holiday experience. The kids and their parents come to the enormous Boston Convention Center from homeless shelters throughout the city. This year about 5,000 kids and their parents participated. Everyone is served a nice meal, entertainment is provided on a big stage by a wonderful gospel choir, dancers and singers. The highlights include when Santa arrives--preceded by the Boston Celtics Cheerleaders and the Boston Police Department bagpipe band! Then all the kids are invited to rush to "Winter Wonderland" a vast area in the Convention Center with rides galore, the carousel from the Boston Common, a small petting zoo with barnyard animals and an area where about 30 Santas take the kids on their knees to hear about their gift requests. After the Winter Wonderland experience the kids return to their tables to receive gifts---toys, dolls, games, etc. as well as ice cream, candies, cupcakes and other sweets. These are kids that have a tough life and to see the expressions of joy on their faces was the only Christmas present that I needed this year.