St. Paschal Helping Hands Ministry Brings Christmas to the Streets

Volunteers from the Clown and Helping Hands Ministry at in Highland Heights were out Saturday bringing Christmas to less fortunate folks in the inner city.

Bob Ukovic, also known as Bojangles the clown, runs the program along with Deacon Joe Bourgeois. He said the further you get from downtown it's easy to forget about problems that exist.

"You're obligated to downtown Cleveland to help people there. At this time of year, they need to know that people care," Ukovic said.

Members of the Helping Hands Ministry have been caring for the homeless for years, taking a "Care A Van" with meals, clothing and hygiene products to them every Wednesday and Saturday.

Last weekend, they were on their regular route to spread Christmas joy to homeless people and delivered bags filled by students at St. Paschal Baylon School.

"Some of them have been on the streets for 10 years," Ukovic said. "We give them the joy of Christmas."

Volunteers also set up two Christmas parties – one at St. Malachi in Cleveland for homeless people and another at a women's shelter.

At St. Malachi, guests had sandwiches and soup donated by in Highland Heights. Volunteer Margaret Valletta said many told Santa (Deacon Joe) that they wanted peace and happiness this year.

"I overheard one of the men say as he sat on Santa's lap, 'I feel like a little boy again sitting on your lap,'" she said. Many of them told Santa that they were going to wait to open their bag until Christmas as this would be their only Christmas gift this year.

Most of the women at the women's shelter asked Santa for a home or apartment to live in this year. St. Paschal Baylon parish school of religion students raised money and collected items from local merchants to supply gifts for 150 women.

Each woman was given a backpack with a hairbrush, toothpaste, toothbrush, hand lotion, soap, shampoo, socks, hat, gloves, scarf, deodorant and lip balm.