St. Vincent de Paul hosts Inaugural Festive Santa Shop

St. Vincent de Paul Baton Rouge (SVDPBR) of Baton Rouge hosted its inaugural Santa Shop, a festive community event full of holiday joy and family fun. The Santa Shop was a dignified experience where parents selected toys for their children and families shared in the magic of the season.

"Our inaugural Santa Shop was such a blessing," said Sonnie Johnson-Lain, CEO of SVDP.
"For the first time, this year, our neighbors in need were able to come and select the items their children would like best.  We served a record-breaking 3,100 children, sharing 9,345 gifts.  Four hundred children joined us for a particularly special day, when Bishop Duca and WBRZ's Sylvia Weatherspoon, as well as Santa, joined us for games, crafts, and gifts." 

The value of the gifts was $327,000, according to SVDP.
Top Right Photo: Bishop Michael G. Duca and Sylvia Weatherspoon presented gifts to the children. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator
Above Photo: Children enjoyed the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa.
Johnson-Lain said the Santa Shop is about more than gifts; it’s about dignity.

“By allowing parents to choose the items their children truly want and need, we’re honoring their role, their voice, and their love,” said Johnson-Lain “Choice transforms charity into relationship, and that is where dignity takes root.”

In addition to receiving the gifts the guests enjoyed interactive stations, creative activities, and the opportunity to take photos with Santa. The event was supported by community volunteers.

To add to the holiday cheer, Chick-fil-A was on-site serving biscuits, ensuring that families enjoy a warm, tasty treat while celebrating the season.

One local mother who participated in the program shared how important it is for parents to choose their children's gifts themselves. This made the whole experience special and personal.

“I feel like that's a blessing. Like, it's really a blessing because not everybody can buy gifts like that,” she said. “Two gifts can make a lot for a kid, and I really appreciated this, honestly, from the bottom of my heart. I really appreciate it.”
In addition to receiving gifts, the children had an opportunity to participate in interactive stations with creative activities.
Seeing neighbors choose gifts for their own children has been incredibly meaningful for husband-and-wife volunteers Billy and Ruthie Coenen.

Everyone has been gracious and appreciative, highlighting the impact of parents personally selecting something for their families.

"It's always better to give than to receive," said Billy Coenen. "When you give your time, effort, and money to organize and participate in these types of events, you see people who are really and truly in need. It makes you feel great. I just feel like our purpose is to seek and find the forgotten.”