“For it is in giving that we receive.”

A line from The Prayer of Saint Francis encapsulates the essence of the annual Spirit of the Lehigh Valley holiday banquet.

In its 23rd year, the event helps treat more than 3,500 people referred from local social agencies to a free holiday banquet complete with live entertainment, gifts of warm weather clothing and a winter wonderland with Santa offering toys for each child.

More than 200 volunteers gave their time during the busy days approaching Christmas to brighten the lives of those in need throughout the Lehigh Valley.

The gifts were made possible from donations from local businesses and organizations such as Nestlé Waters, Jaindl, Coca Cola, Action Party Rentals, The Cops ’n’ Kids program, Toys for Tots, Lehigh Valley Dairies and Sysco Food Services.

The event’s coordinator, Brad Mickley, has been involved for 13 years and has been in charge since 2011.

“It’s a year-long event,” he said. “As soon as the holidays are over, we begin planning for next year.”

On Dec. 22, 2015, Santa’s helpers came from far and wide to wrap and prepare gifts for the Christmas Eve celebration.

As thousands of presents were loaded off of trucks, wrappers and sorters were ready to get to work in the ballroom of the Holiday Inn and Conference Center, Fogelsville.

According to Mickley, at the end of the wrapping extravaganza, the presents are counted and compared to the expected number of attendees.

“If we are short presents, then it is off shopping I go,” he said.

While the ballroom is prepared, the kitchen is also buzzing with employees and their families busy baking cookies donated by Nestlé Waters.

“My husband, Brian, is a Nestlé Waters’ employee. I’m here with him to help bake,” Thais Chesler said. “We have over 5,000 cookies here.”

Then, the presents and preparations are left to wait for Christmas Eve when families from across the Lehigh Valley begin to arrive.

Making sure all families are able to share in the festivities, the organization is thankful for Trans-Bridge Lines and its drivers, who stepped in to help families in need of transportation.

The merriment began as guests were greeted by carolers and smiling faces.

First stop was the dining area where a delicious Christmas dinner buffet was served accompanied by festive holiday music.

“I especially like the cookies,” a smiling Nyjae Hayes, of Easton said.

Then it was off for the children’s long-awaited visit with Santa himself and present picking from a room filled with more presents than many have ever seen.

Josiah McGriff and sister Janeta made the trip from Easton to experience a little holiday cheer.

“My favorite part is the presents,” Josiah said.

Before leaving, each child chose a book from a collection provided by The Cops ’n’ Kids Program, while parents had the opportunity to take home a free energy-saving light bulb compliments of PPL.

After the last meal was served and presents received, volunteers returned home to begin their own holiday celebrations, no doubt fulfilled by the joy they brought to the lives of their neighbors.