Poverello House helping less fortunate have a merry Christmas

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- At the Poverello House, volunteers and employees are getting ready for one of the busiest days of the year.

On Christmas Eve morning, employees at the Poverello House were busy helping Santa with all those toys that will be given out Christmas Day. In the past two months, the community has donated more than 3,000 presents to make the holiday brighter for children.

Poverello House Executive Director Cruz Avila said, "It's a tear dropper. You definitely feel for some of these families that are going through a rough times. It definitely puts a lot of perspective into all of us that are working on a day to day basis."

Avila says Christmas is one of the busiest days of the year at the Poverello House as they distribute toys and give out meals. Inside, people were decorating for the holiday and setting up displays. And there's a lot of work going on in the kitchen, making the perfect gravy and of course the main course.

Poverello House Cook Michael Johnson said, "We're making about 350 pounds of meat so that averages about 60 roasts."

Volunteers helped prepare for Christmas Eve and day meals. Employees from B and A International Farm Labor Services in Fresno traded in time in the office, for handing out trays and preparing food at the Poverello House.

Volunteer Gracy Villalvazo explained, "We just thought today would be a very special day to be able to come out and give back to the community, especially the needy."

Villalvazo says for her and her co-workers they felt it was important to help others, especially during the holidays.

"It's a sacrifice not to be with our families, but to be able to be here and to give back to people that we don't know, that they need the help," said Villalvazo.

The Poverello House will open its doors at 7 a.m. Thursday for the toy giveaway and are expecting 1,500 families. Organizers say they can't wait to see the joy on children's faces when they open these presents on Christmas Day. This is the 28th year the Poverello House has hosted the toy giveaway and meal.