While many families can’t afford to buy presents this Christmas, one local nonprofit is making a difference to change that.
Every year, the Erie City Moms hold an annual Christmas party for moms to shop for free gifts for their kids, providing presents for over 150 children in the area.
But due to heavy snow this year, that event had to be canceled — prompting the Erie City Moms to shop on behalf of those children and deliver the gifts to those families.
The organization’s founder said it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Grace Church, the Emerging Erie Fund and the dozens of volunteers who help make Christmas possible for families in need.
“Every year is a hard year, especially at Christmastime, and no one should be choosing between something like rent or food on the table,” said Amanda Burlingham, Erie City Moms founder and director. “We make sure that Christmas is possible so moms don’t have to choose between something for their kids and something for themselves.”