Concord Christmas charity $30,000 short after donors pull out

CONCORD, Calif. (KTVU) - Christmas is now just 18 days away and time is running out for charities that help the needy. One such group is having an especially tough time this year. Christmas For Everyone needs help after losing some key financial support.

On Monday the charity moved from its storage facility to its base for the holidays, the New Hope International Church on Olivera Court in Concord.

"It will be cool to see the smiles and everything," said volunteer Steven Shepherd.

But this year, Christmas For Everyone is short about $30,000 because three major donors have pulled out.

"These people line up at four o'clock in the morning. They're freezing cold but they want, they need. Some of them live on garage floors, they don't have a bed," said founder Mary Perez.

What Christmas For Everyone does isn't just any Christmas party either.

"It helps mainly the working poor, but also the homeless. And we replace Meals on Wheels on Christmas Day going to the homes of them and the hospice people and take the food and the presents to them," explained Perez.

And that's just the beginning. "Everything you want for Christmas. It's homemade. Devino's kitchen closes, we go in and use it to cook, and then everybody gets a present, everybody gets clothes. It's free. County Links will pick you up if you don't drive," added Perez.

But to make it all happen for some 3,000 people, most of whom are children, the organization needs a lot of help.

There are toys that are already donated, but it's just a fraction of what Christmas For Everyone needs.

By the time Christmas Day arrives, about half the church gymnasium will be filled with boxes containing donated toys. There's a particular need for toys for teenagers.

There will also be entertainment, people cutting hair, and toiletries and kitchen supplies to take home. Of course, volunteers are needed, including hair stylists.

"Everybody should have something for Christmas," exclaimed Shepherd.

Shepherd is providing some muscle power as part of his recovery from alcoholism. That followed his time in the Marine Corps in Afghanistan. "Always had a burning desire to help out with people and everything so it's good. It makes my heart feel warm," he said.

If you want your heart to feel warm, you can volunteer and donate. There's information at www.christmasforeveryone.com.