Everyone knows the North Pole is the go-to place for Christmas gifts, but Catholic Charities of Long Island in Freeport may finish this season a close second. The generous and caring parishioners of St. Anne’s, Garden City, helped build the local tally by collecting hundreds of toys and other gifts with their Angel Tree project for kids of all ages.

A woman named Maria Balsamo and her family organize the entire operation run through the Parish Social Ministry Office at St. Anne’s, where Linda Leone is director. Balsamo, on the left in the group photo, dropped off all the goodies to the staffers of Project Independence in Freeport and even helped to sort them.

The Christmas gifts certainly didn’t stay around for long. They were quickly delivered to children in families assisted by Catholic Charities’ Project Independence, Project Veterans’ Independence, and Special Needs Housing, as well as the Bay Shore and Medford Mental Health Clinics. The good folks working in Freeport are grateful for generous-hearted St. Anne’s parishioners following the example set forth by Jesus in Matthew 25: 35-40. The parish also stocks the shelves of Catholic Charities food pantry with nutritious fare.