To get their first-in-line spot at the annual Father Woody’s Christmas Party on Sunday, Vicky Meza and her son showed up at the Sheraton Downtown Denver at 3 a.m.
It’s no wonder that seven hours later — just moments from being ushered into one of the hotel ballrooms — 6-year-old Raul declared that he was sleepy as he collapsed into Meza’s lap.
But one word immediately revived the tired tot: Santa.
Just a passing mention of the man brought Raul back to his feet, beaming and bouncing all over the carpeted back hallway where an accordion band entertained waiting guests with lively carols.
“You have to stay here early,” said Meza, who heard about the party from friends. “But it works. It’s a really good event.”
A lot has changed in the 30 years since Monsignor Charles Woodrich, better known as Father Woody, opened his church’s doors to homeless and less fortunate families at Christmastime, but nothing more drastically than the size of the crowd.
What began as a gathering of about 150 in 1981 drew more than 4,000 people Sunday for a sit-down turkey lunch, music, gift certificates and wrapped gifts of clothing and toys.
Some came from Denver homeless shelters, others found out through word of mouth. The line stretched around two-thirds of the hotel even an hour after the doors opened.
Volunteer Lovey Shipp, 84, has been part of the annual party for 29 years.
“Nobody deserves a better Christmas than homeless people, because they’re going to have a hard time all year,” Shipp said. “If you haven’t given something, you know in your heart you’re not doing anything. This makes you whole.”
The annual event takes six months of planning and organizing donations and volunteers from The Daniels Fund, Regis University, Catholic Charities and others, said Father John Lager.
“It’s not just about giving a gift, it’s about being a gift,” Lager said as he greeted arriving guests in the busy ballroom.
The hallways the next floor up were a hive of activity as well.
Connor Dietrich, 11, and his cousin Collette LeManske manned the desk at one of six rooms where neatly wrapped presents were stacked by size, age and gender.
“I like to help out in the community and to see all the happy faces of the children,” he said.
It certainly was all smiles as kids left their visit with Santa.
For 8-year-old Daphney Luna, the best part was “getting the present.” Her big sister Wendy Luna, 11, chimed in with a word to all the people who put on the party: “Just to say thank you to them because they did all this.”
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com.
