CHICAGO (WLS) — Unified in song, Christmas came early Saturday morning for more than 2,000 lucky children across Chicago.
“When families come, and you witness the happiness, and when families express that without this event, they wouldn’t have Christmas, it warms your heart,” mentioned Larry Huggins, the Founder of Christmas in the Wards.
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This is the 28th year that Christmas in the Wards has blessed hundreds of grateful families in need with thousands and thousands of gifts.
From laptops to bikes to TVs and toys, Christmas in the Wards is connecting the city’s diverse 77 neighborhoods through giving at McCormick Place.
Huggins, a construction executive, is Santa, so to speak, serving as the founder of this deeply meaningful annual event.
“It truly warms my heart because that’s our goal. While we shop for the families, they receive personalized gifts. They are unaware that they have the chance to win a PlayStation 5, a TV, or an Xbox 1,” shared Huggins.
Elected officials such as Mayor Brandon Johnson, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, and alderpersons from various parts of the city came together to grant the Christmas wishes of these families.
“It’s a time when everybody is coming together, and it’s all about giving back,” said 11th Ward Ald. Nicole Lee.
To Lee, seeing a child receive a gift is priceless.
“The wonderful thing is we can come all together, and it’s not just at an event like this, but events like this inspire others to do nice things too and to be more generous to our neighbors,” Lee said.
High school senior Jalisa Lane received a laptop on Saturday. She said she cannot wait to use it to study for college and is grateful for the gift.
“I’m very happy. I was surprised. I was very surprised,” Lane said. “I hope to use it for my assignments in college and stuff like that. I just feel supported.
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