There’s nothing like seeing a child’s face lighting up when opening gifts on Christmas morning. Thanks to Women of Excellence Bethlehem, more than 300 families will receive gifts this year through their 2022 Christmas for Kids Children’s Program, resulting in children’s faces lighting up like the Star of Bethlehem in The Christmas City.

Gifts were distributed Dec. 17 at The Flatiron Building – Wells Fargo Building – at 301 Broadway on the Southside. In order to follow social distancing guidelines, the program this year was limited to gift distribution.

“The gifts and food are all donated,” LaToyia Small, Women of Excellence Bethlehem board member, said. “We have many volunteers from people signing up to volunteer from the Bethlehem Police Department, Bethlehem Fire Department and many of our board members and their families,” Small, who has been volunteering for at least nine years, said.

And, as Bethlehem is The Christmas City, Santa Claus made a special stop to join in the joyful event, just ahead of his trip here on Christmas Eve.

Small said 2022 marks 19 years that Women of Excellence has held this event. Pre-COVID, it was held at Broughal MS, then moved to the fifth floor of 301 Broadway a number of years ago.

“We didn’t let COVID keep us from continuing to be a blessing to the families,” Small said.

Founded by Dr. Enid Jackson, who was on hand for the festive event, Women of Excellence Bethlehem has a mission to “empower women to be all they are called to be by God, to be a bridge for women and families in need.”

Women of Excellence Bethlehem board members Pastor Felix Colon and Gillian Baptiste are both longtime volunteers for this Christmas tradition.

“I’ve seen a lot of tears today because of the economic situation,” Pastor Colon said. He said people have told him, “Pastor, thank you. Your organization is a blessing to us to put gifts under the tree for our kids.

“I just worked a 24-hour shift and I’m here. I don’t miss this event for anything – I see the joy on people’s faces,” Pastor Colon, who has volunteered for 15 years, said. “We’re making a difference in the community.”

Baptiste said families have to pre-register with their number of children and specify if the child is a boy or a girl. Gifts are given according to age and packed up by volunteers. A city photographer takes the families’ photos for free and families are also given food to take home.

“We love to give back to the community and help the fortunate and less fortunate,” Baptiste said. “We’re grateful to be in this position to help.

“This is like a wedding – you prepare for it and it’s over in one day. It’s a beautiful day,” Baptiste said.

“And we love our boys in blue!” She said with a smile, expressing gratitude to police volunteers, as well as volunteers from the fire department and all volunteers.

One dedicated volunteer is Larry Eighmy, managing principal and a founder of The Stone House Group. “This is normally my office until the elves take over and make it Christmas,” Eighmy said, smiling. He explained the gift bags used to be assembled there and then taken to Broughal to be given out, but for now many years the event has taken place at 301 Broadway.

Southside Community Officers volunteering for the day included Officer C.R. Stokes of the Lehigh University Police Department; and Officer William Rodriguez, Officer Ricky Loscalzo and Officer Sean Landis, all of the Bethlehem Police Department. Officer Rodriguez’s 15-year-old daughter Isabel also volunteered with her dad.

A host of sponsors helped bring the event to fruition: The Stone House Group, Just Born, Albarell Electric Inc., Volunteer Center of Lehigh Valley, Toys For Tots, Community Action Committee, Christmas City Studio, Hellertown Library, Bethlehem Area Library, Holiday Hope Chest, Hands in Service, Lehigh Pizza, Domino’s Pizza, Little Caesars, Seven Sirens and CJS Facility Support Services.