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NEW BRITAIN -- Salvation Army volunteer Hiram Luciano waits patiently
in the doorway of the Army Chapel for a number to be called. He hears
the number, "61" and he darts inside the sanctuary to pick up the
corresponding black bag where hundreds of similar bags rest against
the walls, sit in the pews and line the altar.
He finds the bag. And although a small groan from him indicates the
bag is heavy, he still hoists it over his shoulder in a "Santa-like"
manner, walks to the front desk and hands it to the anxious family
waiting at the door. "Merry Christmas," he says with the pleasure of
knowing that he will be putting smiles on hundreds on the faces.
"I feel so good this year," Luciano said. "I gave out turkeys during
Thanksgiving, and I’m here today because I wanted to do more. I wanted
to be a part of giving out the holiday gifts. I feel so happy when I
hand a bag of toys to someone."
The Salvation Army gave out toys, gifts and food all day Tuesday to
those New Britain residents who signed up for the program.Maj. Norma
Newton and office manager Aracelys Garcia handled registration at the
front desk, assisting approximately 20 families per hour non-stop
throughout the day.
Capt. Stanley Newton, local director of the Salvation Army, said each
year of giving is an extremely rewarding experience. However, he said,
it can be challenging to make sure gifts are available to everyone. The
Salvation Army often turns to outside sources like the Army Reserve and
National Guard for additional assistance.
"We receive hundreds of applications each year, and sometimes it’s a
challenge to get it all together." Newton said, "But me and my wife
Norma, we work every day without a day off to make sure we get what we
need. We don’t get a break until the day after Christmas, because even
on Christmas Day we serve a meal."
Working tirelessly is something that doesn’t bother volunteer Hiram
Luciano either. As a father of five children, he knows the challenges
families have providing gifts to their family over the holidays.
"It can be hard, I know. But, my family is about tradition." Luciano
said, "We cook ham, get the whole family together and enjoy the
holidays. But I’m glad that what I’m doing here is making people happy.
At least they have something under the tree."
And happy is whatAlexandra Gonzalez and her daughter, Asialee, who just
moved to New Britain from Brooklyn, N.Y., were.
"I heard about the program from my aunt," Gonzalez said, "and I feel so
grateful because we just moved here and didn’t know what I was going to
do. My daughter believes she hears Santa on the roof every night. So,
I’m going to wrap these gifts up, and let my daughter believe they came
from Santa."
The Salvation Army, located at 78 Franklin Square. will hold a holiday
lunch on Christmas Day at 12:30pm.
Franchone Fraser-Ben Reuben Bey can be reached at ffraser@newbritianherald.com
or by calling (860) 225-4601, Ext. 221.
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