Posted December 23, 2014

The Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit for Children hosted scores of children served by Catholic Social Services’ Out of School Time programs in the archdiocese Dec. 18 in Philadelphia. Archbishop Charles Chaput, generous supporters and young volunteers from across the archdiocese threw a party with singing, dancing, a Christmas skit and visits by Philadelphia Eagles kicker Cody Parkey and of course, Santa Claus. Read the full story and see our photo gallery below. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

Archbishop Charles Chaput (left) and the party’s entertainment director, Jeff Braconnier, speak to the children and the party.

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Jeff Braconnier and Jackie Delaney, event chairperson, speak during the program.

Archbishop Chaput, wearing a special hat of his own, helps a boy get into the spirit of the day.

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Teen volunteers bring some of the many gifts for the children into the Sheraton City Center Hotel in Philadelphia, which donated its services for the party.

The St. Charles Borromeo Parish Choir provides music at the hotel for all the guests.

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Stanley Faison, center, a supporter of the benefit party, poses with some of the happy children.

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Santa Claus (a.k.a. Douglas Dunn) and Archbishop Chaput spread Christmas cheer with the guest children and volunteers.

Eagles kicker Cody Parkey spends time with the children at the party.

Parkey hands out gifts to the excited children.

The Eagles kicker was a hit with the volunteers, too.

Jackie Delaney, chair of the Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit for Children for the eighth consecutive year, helps a young guest at the party open his present.

One of the littlest angels, a child served by Catholic Social Services of the archdiocese, watches the Catholic Community Choir perform a song.