Girl Scouts hold special Christmas party at Fresno Evangel Home

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Local girl scouts helped spread holiday cheer at Fresno's Evangel Home Sunday.

Troop 697 put on a special Christmas party, complete with games, music and caroling. They were also helped by Santa, who rode in on a fire truck to deliver presents to more than 20 children in need.

Each child received five gifts through toy drives held by the Girl Scouts over the course of two weekends.

"Just giving back to the community is something that we all enjoy doing," Chandler Baladjanian with Troop 697 said. "It's something that we all feel good. Kids can have fun and are able to get something out of Christmas."

The girl scouts were also joined by 12-year-old Katie Kucera, who, for nearly half a year, spent time making blankets for the children.

Through donations she received from family members and friends, she was able to collect the funds she needed to help keep the children warm this winter.

"I just figured that I had so much for myself, and I saw all these other kids outside, in the streets, and I felt so bad for them," Katie said.

The Evangel Home has been serving homeless women and children in Fresno for more than 60 years.