Mission Helps Indigent Parents Find Christmas Gifts

Allowing indigent parents the chance to give their children Christmas presents, the Union Rescue Mission in the skid row area of downtown Los Angeles has set up a “Christmas Store” where parents can pick out three gifts for every child.

Since Monday, parents registered with the Union Rescue Mission have been stopping by the makeshift store to find the perfect presents for their children--from Barbie dolls and footballs to toiletries and sweaters. Volunteers then help the parents wrap the presents in festive paper, said Liz Mooradian, spokeswoman for the mission.

While parents peruse the gift selection, the children are treated to a holiday party in a separate room where they take pictures with Santa Claus and are entertained by a clown.

About 300 volunteers will staff the four-day gift giveaway, Mooradian said.

“Usually, you have kids standing in line getting a gift from a stranger, but we wanted to make it possible for these parents to come and choose their own gifts for their own children,” Mooradian said.

“These people are our regular clients at the mission. They come here for food or medical treatment or their children are in the Youth Ministry here,” Mooradian said.