Archdiocese of Philadelphia 43rd Annual Operation Santa Claus
Sponsored by the Office for Youth and Young Adults

Over 165 teams consisting of four teenagers per team will spend Christmas Eve delivering toys, throughout the Philadelphia region, to families in need. Approximately 15,000 toys will be distributed to 5,000 local children in need. The Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, will be the celebrant and homilist for a Morning Prayer and Commissioning for the volunteers.


Christmas Eve Morning Prayer
Friday, December 24, 2011
10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul
18th St. and the Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Following Morning Prayer, the approximately 850 teen volunteers and adult drivers from Archdiocesan youth programs and schools will walk across the street to the Sheraton Hotel to pick up their toys and their Santa and elf costumes.

The toys were collected from donation boxes at all branches of Beneficial Bank, Archdiocesan schools and parishes, private academies and a number of local businesses.

SPECIAL EDITOR'S NOTE: Because of confidentiality and sensitivity, the media are asked NOT to accompany the teens to the homes of the families receiving toys. However, you may obtain footage of the teens gathering and preparing to make deliveries from the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul or the toy pick-up location. For further information please contact Kathy Pfeffer (610) 637-1490.


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Contact
Donna Farrell
Director of Communications
215-587-3747