Christmas store was a gift to the needy

A few weeks ago, leaders of Catholic Charities issued a press conference for Advent. One highlight was a discussion of the importance of helping those in need during the holiday season. 

At St. John the Evangelist parish in Rensselaer, the Catholic Charities program CoNSERNS-U took up that request by opening their newest "Christmas store."

"We've been doing this for 27 years and this is our 27th or 28th store," noted Colleen Pidgeon, director of CoNSERNS-U.

The store offered a number of gifts -- including toys, clothes, hats and gloves, and games -- that families could shop for, free of charge.

"I think it's a wonderful thing," said one shopper, carrying a plastic bag full of toys for her children. "Especially with the way things are today, to know I'm not spending any money and still getting my kids' presents is very refreshing."

New locale
This was the first year the Christmas store was held at St. John the Evangelist, and Mrs. Pidgeon praised the inner-city location.

"This is a great site," she said. "It's right on the bus route and very easy to get to."
CoNSERNS-U program offers a food pantry, crisis intervention services, clothing, school supplies, emergency assistance and other services in Rensselaer County. Ms. Pidgeon acknowledged the thoughts that Catholic Charities had expressed about the Advent season.

"I think it very much goes along with the season of Advent," she said. "It brings everyone together to prepare, plan, and await."

Kathryn Hayes has been working at CoNSERNS-U since September. As she walked around the school gymnasium helping a shopper pick out gifts, she talked about the appreciation the shoppers showed.

"I've noticed that the people have been very grateful for the help we can give them," she said. "It's nice to know that we can help them in this time of need."

All involved
The help does not come from just CoNSERNS-U and Catholic Charities, however. As Colleen Pidgeon explained, "it all culminates in volunteers, donors, and clients in that exchange of giving and receiving."

The gifts were donated to the store by local volunteers, churches, schools, and businesses. Ms. Pidgeon was very happy for the publicity and media coverage of the event for these groups.

"It's a great way for them to see that it's a worthwhile atmosphere" to take part in, she noted.

To add to the spirit of helping those in need, Christmas gifts were not the only thing that people could receive at the store. There was also a booth set up in the center of gymnasium where Shelly Durse of Fidelis Care sat. Fidelis Care is New York State's 
Catholic health plan.

"We're basically here to provide help to anyone who is uninsured," she explained. 

"We've actually had a number of people come up, four of whom were uninsured, and we've given out some information for them to look over."

Ms. Pidgeon and others hoped the combined effort not only helped families financially, but brought them closer as well.

"We try to encourage [getting] the books and board games here to bring families together and to develop reading skills for children," Ms. Pidgeon noted.

As an elderly man walked out of the gymnasium with his bag full of goods and a smile on his face, he expressed his gratitude.

"I'm so grateful for this," he said. "Now I don't have to worry about my grandkids and my family getting presents. I got some pretty good stuff here; it's wonderful!"

(1/1/09)