NORTHGLENN — Debby Edmeier shuffled among several tables stacked with hundreds of winter coats in the parish hall of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church in Northglenn.
She clutched a large black trash bag that was stuffed with donated clothes and puzzles that she picked out for her and her teenage children.
“This is fabulous,” Edmeier, 52, said Thursday. “It’s amazing to be given this opportunity to have a better Christmas when you need a little help.”
She was one of more than 500 people and families from Adams County who lined up beginning around 4 a.m. outside the church at 11385 Grant Drive for the annual Christmas giveaway.
For about 20 years, the church has gathered community donations to give out toys, food vouchers, winter coats and bicycles to pre-registered families who are part of the Immaculate Heart of Mary food bank program, or who have been nominated by the Adams 12 School District.
“We used to hand out full turkeys … but now we do food vouchers so families can shop for their own groceries,” said Melani Rohr, outreach director at Immaculate Heart. The vouchers are worth $30 for groceries at King Soopers. “We think it’s nice to let them choose how to serve their families that way.”
Edmeier joined the food bank program about 6 months ago when she began living in her truck. Her son and daughter live in California, but they’re coming to visit for Christmas this year. She said this is the first time she has come for the giveaway, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
“I’m way excited to see my children — it’s been about five months,” she said. “I’m getting a bike for my daughter and a bunch of clothes for them both. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.”
The church partners with Northglenn to provide the bikes. The city’s volunteer program for the event. This year, about 300 refurbished and brand new bikes were lined up in a room for people to pick out as presents.
“When you see this through the eyes of the people we’re serving, they’re just so grateful,” said Jenni Murphy, volunteer programs coordinator for Northglenn. “It’s so incredibly moving. It really means a lot to be able to help people who are struggling to give something nice to their children for Christmas.”
Megan Mitchell: 303-954-2650, mmitchell@denverpost.com or twitter.com/Mmitchelldp
