St Joseph South Side Christmas Traditions
Category: Chronicles of Lionism
Holiday donations aren't the only tradition for St Joseph South Side.
Christmas Traditions Abound for Lions
Members of the St Joseph South Side Lions look forward each year to the holiday season. The opportunity to serve is prevalent at this time of year.
The Adopt-a-Family program at the AFL-CIO receives funds to sponsor families each year, but several members take the opportunity to volunteer their time and energy to help the organization to set up their toy room and gift room for adoptees to come in and "shop" for specific items which have been donated.
Each year the club scours through adoption applications and choose several to receive holiday help. That help could included items from the adoptees wish list, household items, food, clothing - whatever is deemed to enhance the season for the adoptee.
Then, in December, the Adopt-a-Family group opens their doors for adoptees to come and pick gifts that have been donated by members of the community.
"Each Christmas, local families gather for a celebration of food, festivities, and fun. But the darker side of that story is that there are many who suffer in silence as economic hardships or unexpected life events make celebrating Christmas a struggle. The Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program brings a ray of light to these individuals by letting them know we care. Since its inception, more than 84,000 people have been able to experience the joy of Christmas because of the kindness and generosity of others.
If you are not familiar with the Adopt-A-Family program, our sole goal is to serve everyone who needs assistance during the holiday season. The program is designed to match needy families and individuals (Adoptee) in the area with families, groups and organizations (Adopter) that are willing to help so everyone can enjoy the Christmas holidays. As a result, this program lessens the possibility of families spending their limited incomes on Christmas rather than basic living expenses or going without any form of Christmas. In 2019, a total of 789 families (2,345 individuals) were adopted through the program." (helpmenow.org)
Another season tradition for the club is to ring the bells for the Salvation Army kettles. The last few years has found the South Siders at their station in the East Hills Mall of St Joseph ringing their bells to remind shoppers to give their change for the less fortunate. The club raised $335.18 in 2019.