Wrapping Joy: METRO Volunteers Bring Holiday Spirit to Area Kids

The spirit of the season was alive and well at the NRG Event Hall. METRO employees, decked in Santa hats and smiles, gathered to help wrap 10,000 gifts for Navidad en el Barrio, a local charity that brings Christmas joy to underprivileged children.

For 36 years, it has been a beacon of hope for Houston children, providing them with gifts they might otherwise go without. This year, METRO employees were determined to make the season even more special. Dozens of volunteers arrived, armed with rolls of wrapping paper, tape, and boundless enthusiasm.

METRO employees helped wrap 10,000 gifts for Navidad en el Barrio.

Tables overflowed with gifts of all shapes and sizes. Employees helped wrap thousands of gifts, from toys and games to books and clothing. The air buzzed with the chatter of volunteers as they carefully wrapped each one, transforming ordinary objects into treasures.

"It’s exhilarating, and it’s something that comes from deep in my heart," said METRO Sr. Public Engagement Representative Margaret Dunlap. "It’s a reminder of what I knew as a child growing up. I remember what people did for me then, and now I’m doing the same for others.”

The impact of this collective effort resonates deeply with Navidad en el Barrio President Martha Martinez-Gomez. "It’s not just about a gift,” she emphasized.

"It's about giving hope to our families and hope to our children."