Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

More than 2,500 Osceola County children will have gifts under the Christmas tree this year thanks to the second Christmas for the Kids event Friday at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee.

With donations from area businesses and local residents, organizers were able to pass out 1,500 bags of toys for the younger children, 840 $25 food vouchers to families and 640 clothing certificates worth $40 for teenagers.

The event more than tripled the number of children served compared to last year – 740 – which event chairman Danny Quinn chalked up to getting an earlier start this year as well as successful partnerships despite the slow economy.

“It’s unbelievable. The need is greater because of the economy and the donations were fewer for the same reason,” Quinn said.

Liz Pachezo, of St. Cloud, was thankful the event helped her and her husband, who was unemployed for a year before finding work at the Orlando International Airport in October, provide for their two daughters. Pachezo said the $25 food voucher would allow the family to have Christmas dinner, a meal that would otherwise be unattainable.

“At this time, it’s really good,” she said.

Pachezo also received help from the event last year, however, she hopes to not need the assistance next year.

“There are so many people out there who need it, too,” she said.

Families like Pachezo’s were identified through social workers in the Osceola County School District. Registration ended two weeks early due to the overwhelming response, Meredith Griffin, the homeless family liaison for the district, said.

According to Griffin, 1,100 homeless students live in Osceola County and once they were registered for the event, social workers opened the registration up to other needy families.

“Toys for Tots doesn’t distribute locally so this is the only event that I know of on this scale for Osceola County residents,” Griffin said.

For Kissimmee resident Sherri Swenson, the experience of getting a gift for her 11-year-old son was worth the 25-minute wait in line.

“It just brings the spirit of the holiday because Christmas is for kids,” she said. “Hopefully, it will be better next year.”

The event was minus the bells and whistles most holiday gatherings offer. While Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance to hear the children’s wishes and pass out books and candy, once clients moved inside, the only décor were potted poinsettia flowers and the festive clothing that volunteers wore.

Quinn said the committee wanted to use all of the funds to provide for the children and not for frills and decorations.

“We don’t want to leave anybody out,” Quinn said, adding that many of the toys were purchased on credit while the committee waited on donated funds, much of which showed up in the days before the event. “It just tears you apart.”

Quinn said the committee will begin planning next year’s event in March, using leftover funding to finance mailers and brochures.

“This is a long-term (event) now. We doubled it and we just want to grow,” he said.