Catholic Charities provides a merry Christmas for thousands

It will be a merrier Christmas this year for the needy families who went home with presents Thursday from the Catholic Charities gift program.

Almost 50 volunteers distributed gifts Thursday at the collection and distribution center in Waukegan through the Celebration of Giving program. Almost 16,000 people are expected to be helped during the holiday season.

"It is running very smoothly. It is one of our best years," said volunteer Dick Hoffman of Libertyville. "This is my fifth year doing it. By the end, I will be very tired but next year I will do it again. I feel great."

Volunteers quickly registered clients, checking their lists before having runners collect their packages and distributing the presents. The program was expected to move 38 families through the collection process every 15 minutes.

"It feels really good and it helps with finances," said Jasmine Woods of Waukegan as she waited for her gifts with her daughter, Naomi Gordon. "I'm glad that Catholic Charities is helping."

Clients were smiling as they left the center carrying gifts for their children during the holiday season.