SAN ANGELO, Texas — Workers at San Angelo's House of Faith are gearing up for four days of Christmas parties. But what goes into serving the nearly 2,000 in attendance?
For one, presents. In the corner of the religious organization's main room, boxes are stacked, filled with presents for those who will be attending the parties.
"Every single member of a family, a House of Faith family, is gonna get a Christmas present this year from House of Faith," Seth Lowrance, the House of Faith's public relations professional, said.
House of Faith also has storage locker at San Angelo's U-Haul facility stacked to the ceiling with gifts donated by Toys for Tots.
While House of Faith charges nothing for its families to be a part of the Christmas parties, it does need local support to pay for everything that goes into the 4-day celebration.
"We do ask that the community can come and support with a $25 donation to help us be able to afford to be able to give these children gifts," Lowrance also said.
But the organization has more than just gifts in store. They’re putting on a Christmas play.
The theme’s is gonna be ‘Come to the Table,’" Outreach Pastor Lupe Mata said. "Y’know, sit down with Christ and enjoy life. The way he designed it."
"It's one our favorite things we get to do," Children's Director Mackenzie Gunter said. "It's the best thing that happens all year."
And that enthusiasm reaches all the way into kitchen, where House of Faith's Shelley Emmons and other staff is preparing nearly 2,000 Christmas cookies for baking.
"We have lots of people in the community who are coming together to take dozens of cookies home and bake them, so that we’ll be all ready next week for our parties."
But, according to Lowrance, House of Faith needs one more thing to make this year’s parties a success.
"We are probably gonna need 200 volunteers, that’s our target number," he said.
Volunteering opportunities include handing out presents, serving food and more.
"You can even just come and hang out with families, so we are absolutely looking for volunteers," Lowrance said. "If you’re interested, we can find you something to do.”
House of Faith's Christmas parties will be held Monday through Thursday, Dec. 16-19. For more information, including how to make a donation or volunteer, click here.