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Catholic Charities' Christmas gift coordinator brings joy to the holiday season needy

Charity gift coordinator gets presents to those who might not have gotten them

For the last 15 years, Hawthorn Woods resident Jim Wogan has played Santa Claus to make sure needy children and families across Lake County have presents for Christmas.

As the gift program coordinator for Catholic Charities in Waukegan, his experiences during those years were so heartwarming and joyous that he continued as coordinator for two years after his retirement.

But it was at the start of this year that brought a new emotion: immense sorrow.

Wogan made a sad discovery when he walked into the program's Lewis Avenue warehouse in May: Hundreds of gifts that were to be part of the 2014 Christmas collection had been stolen.

"That was heartbreaking for a lot of my volunteers," Wogan said. "It was kind of a kick in the teeth and you feel that you've been undercut."

The discovery would require renewed determination and a belief in the help of others.

A grandfather of six who served as an Army officer for 24 years, Wogan later taught in the Chicago school system and worked full time with Catholic Charities as volunteer coordinator.

This year is the organization's 67th annual Celebration of Giving Christmas gift drive, which was expected to help 16,000 people in Lake County. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago helps families without regard to religious, ethnic or economic backgrounds.

"I love doing it because it is really gratifying to see people who might not have anything else for Christmas get some gifts from us and to see the gratitude on their faces," Wogan said.

He organizes 300 volunteers who assess individuals' needs, solicit gifts, work with donors, sort donations at the Waukegan warehouse, and distribute gifts to needy recipients.

Hearing about the thefts, individuals and organizations from around Lake County stepped up and took up the challenge to help.

For example, students at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire collected gifts for 290 families during the school's annual Give-A-Thon - more than any previous donation drive.

St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church in Indian Creek held Gift Sunday on Dec. 7, when the congregation provided presents for more than 1,100 people. During Mass, a special offertory was held and children and adults walked up with colorful, wrapped gifts and piled them around the altar.

"It's overwhelming. As people are bringing gifts up, a lot of people are sitting in their seats with tears running down their eyes," said Wogan, a deacon at the church. "This is a great outpouring of love."

During several days earlier this month, clients came to the distribution center in Waukegan and left with presents and a smile, knowing Christmas will be a little merrier because of the work of Catholic Charities.

And Wogan also has a large grin. Even after the loss of so many presents, Catholic Charities was still able to reach its goal because of the generosity of many friends, families, volunteers and people who wanted to help.

Real-life Grinch steals gifts earmarked for needy families

Stevenson students chip in for Give-A-Thon

Catholic Charities gift center is full steam ahead to help the needy

Heartwarming gift collection at St. Mary of Vernon

Catholic Charities provides a merry Christmas for thousands

  Catholic Charities gift program coordinator Jim Wogan talks to Stevenson High School students Kate Zingerman, left, and Peter Drozdzewicz as they deliver gifts in Waukegan. Stevenson High School collects gifts annualy for the program. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Wogan brings gifts into the Catholic Charities gift center warehouse in Waukegan. Gifts collected arte distributed to 16,000 low income people throughout Lake County. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Stevenson High School seniors Joanne Sim, left, and Araseli Gallegos deliver a big present during the annual Give-A-Thon at the Lincolnshire school. The event collected toys, gifts, food and clothes for low-income families. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church deacon and gift coordinator Jim Wogan talks to parishioners during Gift Sunday at the church in Indian Creek. The church was expected to collect gifts for more that 1,000 low-income people for the holidays. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Maria Mejia of Beach Park walks with her daughter, Sophie, 2, after receiving gifts from Catholic Charities at its collection and distribution center in Waukegan. Nearly 16,000 people will receive gifts for the holiday season through the Celebration of Giving program. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com

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