On Sunday, December 18, several dozen Belmont Hill Upper Schoolers will be volunteering at Christmas in the City. Held annually since 1989, Christmas in the City is a full-day holiday party for homeless children and families in the Boston area. Over the years, CITC has expanded from serving 165 individuals to over 2500 today. The event, which takes place in the 500,000 square-foot Boston Convention Center, features a banquet, entertainment, games, rides, a petting zoo, and, of course, a live visit from Santa himself. Moreover, each kid walks away from the event with a toy of his or her choice, as well as new winter clothing.
I have had the pleasure of volunteering at CITC for the past two years, helping to decorate the party and coordinate the arrival of guests. As other volunteers can tell you, CITC is a great way to kick off your winter break and get into the holiday spirit. Plus, it gives you an excuse to spend time with friends (and briefly escape from your family). More importantly, helping young kids experience the magic and joys of the holiday season is a uniquely gratifying experience. For many of the struggling families at the party, December 18 will be one of the most special days of the year. But it won’t happen without a strong showing from volunteers. With that in mind, I hope Belmont Hill can provide an even bigger group of helpers this year. If you are 16 or over and interested in participating, don’t hesitate to contact me, Andrew Berg ’18, or Ms. Zener.