Volunteers bring joy to thousands

As the crowd in a dining room swelled with thousands of homeless children and their families, Lori Thames beamed with pride.

She was once homeless herself. Yesterday, however, she and her family were giving back.

''We're so lucky and blessed," the 35-year-old mother of three said of her family's rise from the streets. ''I look forward to doing this every year now."

Thames was among hundreds of volunteers who helped organize Christmas in the City, a program started 17 years ago by Jake Kennedy, a physical therapist in Boston, and his wife, Sparky.

Yesterday, the Kennedys rolled out the red carpet -- literally -- for more than 2,800 homeless children from shelters around Boston and their parents at the Bayside Expo Center.

They poured in from dozens of locales throughout eastern Massachusetts, welcomed off crowded buses by cheering lines of costumed volunteers.

The families were treated to a special Christmas lunch and live entertainment, provided by a local gospel choir and hip hop groups. Roving clowns, magicians, and costumed characters entertained children while volunteers from the Museum of Science, the Children's Museum, and the New England Aquarium offered interactive educational programs.

After the meal was finished, Santa Claus arrived, opening up the program's Winter Wonderland room, where children ran among carnival-like games and a variety of fun activities.

Volunteer stylists from Salon Pini took a break from their Newbury Street location to offer their services to the families.

Thames explained how the Christmas in the City gift program worked as she supervised the busy operations in the toy room.

There, volunteers organized toys and gift bags, readying them to give to the eager children playing nearby.

Each year, shelters from around Boston are asked to provide a list of children and their families who are in need during the holiday season. The Kennedy family and its band of volunteers then sets out sorting gifts from donors. Each child receives a gift from their wish list with a personalized tag.

''We always try to give the children their first or second choice of gifts," Thames said. ''But if we have to go to the third item, we make it worthwhile for them."

Children were also given a bag with hats, scarves, gloves, and other winter basics that are many times considered luxuries by some of the least fortunate families.

''It was absolutely, unbelievably amazing for my family," Thames said of her experience as a Christmas in the City recipient. ''It's different. It's not a handout."

Not long ago, Thames, who now works at a homeless shelter, was shepherding two of her children to the celebrations. Now, she and her three children live in a Randolph home, which she bought in August.

Thames's daughter, Jete, 14, said she enjoys following her mother's lead.

''Sometimes, I felt like there was only help at Christmas," she said. ''I wish I could do something like this all year long. Even if I don't have everything, I've still got enough to share."

Nathan Hurst can be reached at nhurst@globe.com