The annual community Christmas party hosted by La Puente drew 511 guests and an evening filled with hot cocoa, homemade holiday cookies and the arrival of Santa.
A four-member brass band set the tone by playing classic Christmas carols, and La Puente staff led guests in a sing-along. Each guest also got to pick out some winter gear. The available selection included homemade, crocheted, colorful beanies that were donated with lots of love.
Credit: La Puente
Inside, guests met Santa’s helpers, visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoyed a lasagna lunch. Whether guests were 4 months or 80 years old (youngest and oldest attendees), each received a gift from Santa himself. The age-appropriate gifts included magnetic tiles, remote-control robots, LEGO sets, Bluetooth headphones, spa kits and board games.
Holidays can be filled with joy, but also with hardship for families — not just financially, but also as losses are felt more deeply and some battle with isolation.
La Puente’s Christmas event isn’t just about “stuff” (although free gifts are great) but also about creating a sense of togetherness as neighbors, coworkers, family members, and strangers gather to enjoy the magic of the season.
On a personal level, those moments of connection are what stood out to me the most. Having worked at La Puente for nearly three years, the Community Christmas Party now feels like a giant reunion as I visited with guests who previously received La Puente’s services and who I hadn’t seen in months.
I chatted with Marisol, a former shelter resident, who was at the event to give back through volunteering. I reconnected with Estrella and her daughters, who hold a special place in my heart. Estrella and her family stayed at the shelter last year, and Sammy, her oldest daughter, celebrated turning five with us at that time; the shelter dining room was transformed into a pink princess paradise. Patty, whose grown children live out of state, was part of our shelter community for a while during a period of financial and medical stress.
Credit: La Puente
“I miss the people here so much,” Patty said as we shared a tearful embrace. There was Mark and Zelda (who used to stay at the encampment and now own a camper), Fernando (a children’s book author and former shelter resident), Steven (a member of Adelante’s tenant council), Kendra and her family (who recently shared their story in La Puente’s newsletter), and so many more.
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in the outpouring of love.” This quote, adapted from Hamilton Wright Mabie, illustrates what creates the true magic of Christmas: community.
Credit: La Puente
We are incredibly grateful to every community member who volunteered their time, donated financially to La Puente’s gift fund, helped us decorate the shelter, wrapped gifts, or cooked a lasagna to make this meaningful event possible. Your involvement truly made a difference and ensured that each guest felt welcomed, special and celebrated.
We would like to extend recognition and our sincere thanks to La Puente’s Crisis Prevention team for serving as Santa’s helpers, Adelante Family Resource Center for preparing 1,000 delicious cookies, and the Shelter staff for helping the event run smoothly.
From all of us at La Puente–volunteers, clients, and staff — we wish you and your family the happiest of holidays
Related