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Cardinal Timothy Dolan & Team Of Volunteers Go Holiday Shopping For Needy Families

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- With the stress that often comes with holiday shopping, it can be easy to lose sight of what the season is all about.

But CBS2's Ali Bauman found a festive remedy when she joined Cardinal Timothy Dolan and a team of volunteer shoppers as they bought gifts for strangers.

Joseph Pallero had never met the 7-year-old girl he was shopping for, but he knew she needed a sweater.

"It's the least I could do. I grew up with everything, all the necessities in life," he said.

Pallero was one of 600 volunteers with Catholic charities who bought the basics for 800 local families in need.

He had a bio for the family he was shopping for and learned they had more in common than he thought.

"They live with a single mom, and I can relate to that because I grew up with a single mom," he said.

Volunteers help the families year-round with job training, home assistance and counseling through the Saint Nicholas Project.

"We're serving a wide range of people today. Families who have needs, but families who want a better future, and that's what we're here for," organizer Monsignor Kevin Sullivan said.

Even Cardinal Timothy Dolan went shopping and he was feeling generous.

"Nice to see you Ali," he said. "What size are you? I'll buy you something."

But no need to waste the money, as he was shopping for a family that needed it more.

"We have a refugee couple. This will probably be their first Christmas in the United States. They fled persecution and turmoil," he said. "We know the wife is expecting a baby, which is kind of Christmas-y, isn't it?"

All of the families will receive their items by Christmas time, but the Monsignor said it's important that none of the items be wrapped.

"If it's for a child, we think it's important for the mom and dad to have a part in wrapping, it's not just somebody else giving that. They can have a part," he said.

The volunteers had a budget of $65 to work with for each recipient.

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