The 56th annual Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children will host more than 400 young people who receive services from one of a dozen programs within Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. They represent approximately 16,000 children across the Delaware Valley who benefited from residential and community-based programs offered by Catholic Social Services this year, including children with disabilities, at-risk children, and dependent or court-adjudicated youth.

Nearly 200 Archdiocesan high school students will participate in this year's Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children by greeting the children, serving as Santa's elves, and providing entertainment and music. The benefit begins with a parade and will conclude with an appearance from Santa Claus to give out presents. Several Philadelphia Eagles players, cheerleaders, and the Eagles mascot, Swoop, will also join in the festivities. CBS 3/CW Philly 57's Bob Kelly, traffic anchor, will serve as emcee.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sheraton Philadelphia Center City Hotel
17th Street between Race and Vine Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103

2:30 p.m. Parade of marching bands, clowns, cartoon character and jugglers enters ballroom;
2:50 p.m. Presentation of Nativity Play and Christmas carols;
3:00 p.m. Eagles Players, Swoop, and Santa Claus arrives to greet the children
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Gift distributed to the children

More than just a one-time party for a few hundred children, the Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children raises funds to support programs of Catholic Social Services that daily serve children throughout the year. Catholic Social Services assists more than 162,000 children, adults and families of all faiths throughout the five-county area of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties).

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Editor's Note: For more information or to make donation in support of the Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children, please visit www.archbishopschristmasbenefit.org/

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747