It's one of the city's largest giveaways. Each year, families sign up on social media or write in with their stories. Each child gets to pick three toys each, and the only rule is families must have a child with them in order to participate.
A picture with Santa, a warm coat and a new toy. Those are things many children take for granted, but for many across the Chicago, it would not be possible were it not for the generosity of others.
On Wednesday, hundreds of families lined up outside Bronzeville's National Association of Letter Carrier's, not to mail a letter, but to write one to Santa, and then have it instantly fulfilled as part of I Am A Gentleman's annual giveaway. Among them were Juanita Harris and her two grandchildren.
"These two kids have only mom, and of course grandma, when I can chip in," Harris said. "And this helps her out a great deal."
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Many of the families participating in the giveaway were selected after writing in with their stories.
After taking their pictures with Santa, each child was given the opportunity to pick out three toys. There were also bags of groceries with all the essentials for Christmas dinner, and new coats and gloves for those who need them.
"This is a perfect event," father James Powell said. "I appreciate this with all my heart."
Many of those on the giving end are participants in I Am A Gentleman's male mentorship program. Ty'Shaan Williams, 17, is in his first year with the organization.
"This is my third year, back to back to back," Williams said. "I'm going to come back here every year, even after I leave I Am A Gentleman. I'm going to come back here. It's an amazing experience."
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That is exactly the purpose of I Am A Gentleman, to take young Black inner-city youth and turn them into leaders within their community. The Christmas giveaway is the way they close out a year of activities.
"These young men are taught what it means to be productive citizens of their communities," said Jermaine Anderson with I Am A Gentleman. "They're part of our 14-week program learning various life skills, but every Christmas Eve, they suspend everything they have going on to serve others."
The event has replaced what used to be I Am A Gentleman's home visits from years ago, but that doesn't mean they don't still make house calls, or hospital calls. One was planned for later Wednesday at Comer Children's Hospital.
"We're bringing Christmas to Tamari," Anderson said. "Not only are we bringing Tamari his favorite characters from Paw Patrol, but we're bringing Christmas dinner for that family right where they are."
I Am A Gentleman's Christmas giveaway is in its 11th year and each year it gets bigger, with some 300 families participating in the event.
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