Petaluma volunteers spread Christmas cheer

It may not be Santa’s workshop, but the Christmas Cheer headquarters set up in a Petaluma warehouse was last week bustling with volunteers working behind the scenes to make the holiday season brighter for hundreds of local families and seniors.

Boxes brimming with food, racks stuffed with coats, rows of gleaming bikes and shelves packed full of brightly-colored toys filled the expansive vacant building in the Washington Square Shopping Center, showcasing the efforts of the volunteer-run Christmas Cheer nonprofit and the community’s outpouring of support.

Beginning Nov. 28, the longstanding organization set up shop to collect donations for those in need, which were ready to be picked up by families or packed into the cars of volunteers like Julie Gatti, who hand-delivered goodies to Petaluma seniors Dec. 16.

Gatti, a Petaluma resident who has been volunteering with Christmas Cheer for a decade, was among eight teams who worked in shifts from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to deliver boxes of food, handmade stockings and blankets to more than 60 homebound seniors.

As much as distributing the boxes to seniors is about giving tangible gifts, Gatti said offering companionship is an equally important part of her holiday delivery routine.

“I just like meeting new people,” Gatti said. “It’s nice to sit to talk with the seniors … it’s really cool and they’re always really grateful.”

Residents of a west side Petaluma Ecumenical Properties affordable housing complex beamed as they opened the doors to receive the packages from Gatti and fellow volunteer Jim Thomas. Among the recipients of the delivery was Teresa Froschl, who said she welcomed the conversation and the holiday help.

Since her husband of 47 years passed away in 2008, she’s been living on a limited income, and the box is a welcome gift during what otherwise might be a more difficult holiday season, she said.

“It’s a very nice thing to accept,” the 85-year-old said. “I’m happy about it. It helps to have it, I don’t have a lot of money for food.”

PEP Housing Resident Services Coordinator Erin Hoffman said the nonprofit has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Christmas Cheer, and the dozens of seniors involved continue to appreciate the thoughtfully curated gifts.

“People are just overwhelmed with the kindness of the gifts and food,” she said.

The $2,000 worth of food in the senior’s boxes, which included bread, fresh produce and a frozen chicken, was donated by Crusin’ The Boulevard, another Petaluma nonprofit that’s foraged a partnership with Christmas Cheer, Vice President John Furrer said.

“It takes a lot off of people not having to worry about where is the next meal coming from or where toys for kids are going to come from … we all have worries, no matter if we need food or not. It takes a big load off,” he said, adding that the nonprofit also donates about $2,000 in toys.

In addition to helping seniors, Christmas Cheer is also giving toys and food to more than 550 families, with an estimated 120 volunteers helping out with sorting, packing and planning, according to volunteer Barbara Rossi.

Christmas Cheer began in 1957 as a project of the Petaluma Coordinating Council, which wanted to avoid doubling up on holiday charity efforts. The nonprofit accepts applications for holiday assistance and works with Petaluma’s Salvation Army to avoid conflicts and make sure those in need are effectively served, according to longtime volunteer Deborah May-Buffam

For Rossi, who has been part of the organization for 16 years, Christmas Cheer plays helps make the holiday season more meaningful.

“You like to think that you can help people in some small way,” she said.

Efforts to gear up for the season began as early as September, she said. The organization has found several homes in the past few years, working out of warehouses and double-wide trailers, taking on the cost of utilities for the donated spaces, Rossi said.

Volunteers said Christmas Cheer fosters a sense of community.

“This is the annual Christmas miracle,” May-Buffam said.

(Contact Hannah Beausang at hannah.beausang@arguscourier.com.)