PRESS PHOTOS BY LISA DRAPERThe St. Ann Helping Hands ministry at St. Ann Church, 415 S. Sixth St., Emmaus, had approximately 60 volunteers show up on a snowy evening Dec. 20, 2024 to prepare boxes of food for 43 families and to wrap gifts for 50 children. Each child was to receive five gifts. The food and gifts were donated by parishioners to help local families celebrate Christmas. ABOVE: Volunteers collect items for boxes.

Monsignor Edward Coyle joins the volunteers in collecting items to prepare boxes for families in need.

Anna and Marisa Galante, of Lower Macungie, show their wrapped gifts to be given to local children.

Paul Ulicny helps unbox food.

New to Emmaus, residents via Los Angeles, Calif., Lauren and David Haponski volunteer to help wrap gifts for local children. David shared the snowy weather was exciting for him to see and wrapping gifts with snowman paper was appropriate.

The Harada family, including Jonathan, James, Nicole and Charles, works together as a family volunteering with Helping Hands.