From the firehouse to the hospital, volunteers help Santa bring joy to the parish
Beginning in November, the United Way of St. Charles Parish starts taking calls and referrals on disadvantaged families throughout the parish. By the time the holidays hit full stride, United Way Director of Community Impact Kacy Kernan said, they have more than 100 cases. To make these Christmases, United Way turns to the community.
And the community steps up.
Throughout the parish, hundreds of volunteers have put in thousands of hours at events throughout the area.
For the first time this year, the Norco Volunteer Fire Department held a toy drive. Organizer Andre Garcia said the event, held on Dec. 13 in the parking lot of Greaud’s market in Norco, garnered more than 100 toys, including bikes, which were then donated to the United Way of St. Charles Parish and the St. Charles Parish Toy Fund.
“Next year, we plan on getting a little bigger,” Garcia said. “We’re going to have Santa Claus and bring in [fire prevention mascot] Sparky.”
“We wouldn’t be able to follow up on those needs if it weren’t for [organizations like] the Norco Volunteer Fire Department,” Kernan said.
The St. Charles Parish Hospital holds an annual toy drive, the results of which are donated to United Way. This year, the hospital was able to deliver more than 200 toys, according to spokesperson Quinn Landry. Landry said, however, that much of the credit goes to Angels Among Us Childcare and Learning Center, and Zachary Industrial.
“If we can do something like this, and go around the hospital and spread some holiday cheer, then this is what makes you smile and be thankful for all the blessings you have,” Landry said.
Kernan said that in addition to the efforts of the hospital and fire fighter, they also partner with the local 4-H and Catholic Charities. The Catholic Charities shares family leads and also helps continue toy delivery from the time United Way offices close, around Dec. 17, until Christmas Eve.
“The holidays are just a really great time to show the value of partnership,” Kernan said. “We could not do this on our own, we could not provide for the needs of so many families on our own.”
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