Press Release (November 3, 2004)

56TH CARDINAL'S CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR CHILDREN
HELD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2004

On Saturday, December 4, 2004, Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., will host 300 disadvantaged children from Los Angeles County at the 56th Annual Cardinal’s Christmas Party for Children. The Party will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, in downtown Los Angeles, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This year, boys and girls ages 5 to 8 years will participate in Christmas activities such as photos with Santa, face painting, and entertainment by a magician and marionettes. They will also receive lunch, special gifts from Santa, and an assortment of toys and other Christmas goodies.

The Cardinal’s Christmas Party for Children was initiated in 1949. Today, Cardinal Roger Mahony continues to enthusiastically support this beautiful tradition. Besides giving a large number of children a wonderful Christmas event, the Cardinal’s Christmas Party for Children raises funds to help provide toys and food for thousands of needy families and their children. The proceeds of the Cardinal’s Christmas Party for Children are used to brighten the holiday season for some 20,000 poor children and adults throughout Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties.

Established in 1919, Catholic Charities of Los Angeles has served millions of people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, income, gender or religious belief. During the past fiscal year (July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2004), in more than 50 offices and community centers, the agency provided over 1,286,000 services to approximately 242,000 different individuals. People in need come to Catholic Charities for emergency food and shelter, low-cost before-and-after-school childcare, immigration and refugee assistance, psychological services, computer and jobs skills training, and other supportive services. Poverty doesn't discriminate. How could Catholic Charities?



For more information about the Cardinal's Christmas Party for Children please contact Resource Development Department of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, at (213) 251-3433, -3494, -3495, or -3498.