Families impacted by hardship treated to holiday party by American Red Cross House

WEST PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia firefighters gave kids a glimpse of the lifesaving work they do. Many of the families know first-hand how important the job is. It is the reason why inside the Red Cross House, in West Philly, they are guests at a holiday party, after having a rough year.

"M&Ms," said 10-year-old Johnny, describing how he decorated his cookie. "A gingerbread man," he said. The JNA Institute of Culinary arts gave their time and talent to help Johnny and other kids make a gingerbread man.

"Are we allowed to sprinkle it?" asked one little girl.

 Yes you can," replied a volunteer.

46 families turned out Wednesday night, including Marquita Jackson and her family, who lost their home in a fire last January.

"They've been a part of our life ever since," she said of volunteers at the Red Cross House disaster recovery center where she stayed for about 21 days.

"For them to call us and invite us to a dinner tonight, I feel that was completely awesome. Because they do not have to reach back, because they still have families that are ongoing at this very moment. So for them to reach back for us, I truly appreciate it," said Jackson.

Her 9-year-old daughter, Skylar, is excited about the night, saying, "I felt happy and surprised because I didn't think they would call to invite us over here again."

"We were able to meet with them, interact with them, help them along their pathway to recovery and now it's our chance to see them on that next step in their journey and celebrate how far they've come," said Jennifer Graham, who is the CEO of the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Organizations like Youth Action donated gifts and crafts for the families, helping them make stockings. And of course there was Santa in a room of donated gifts. The Waller family was invited back after losing their home in a fire in May of this year. They stayed briefly at the Red Cross House.

"I feel a lot of love, blessed to be around a community that wants to get together and give back to everyone," said Andrea Waller who was there with her three children.