DENVER—About 1,500 people each received a $20 bill at Denver’s Catholic cathedral Friday as part of an annual Christmas tradition.
Father Woody Gift Day at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is aimed at helping the homeless and the Archdiocese of Denver gets the word out through shelters. People began lining up outside hours before the event.
The crisp, new bills—provided by an anonymous donor—were distributed after an Advent service.
The tradition was started 30 years ago—with $10 bills—by the late Msgr. Charles Bert Woodrich, known as Father Woody. He wanted to make sure homeless people got to celebrate Christmas too.
Archdiocese spokeswoman Jeanette DeMelo said turnout was similar in recent years but there seemed to be more elderly people this time.
