COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —

With the rising cost of living, it can be difficult for families to make Christmas special for their kids while still making ends meet.

A local nonprofit is hoping to change that for metro families.

On Saturday, 800 families got the chance to pick out Christmas gifts at New Visions Homeless Service's 30th annual Community Christmas Celebration.

Some families came from over a hundred miles away to participate.

"They get to come and see Santa. They get stuffed animals, pick out of books, they get to shop for their parents, which is one of our favorite things here. They get games," said president and CEO Brandy Wallar.

Wallar says the tradition is only possible because of the generosity of the community.

"In the last week, we had about 500 volunteers that came an

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