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Gifts of a new country
By MELIA BOWIE, Times Staff Writer After the Vietnam War, all Tuong Ngo wanted was to be reunited with his father, a political prisoner who years ago found sanctuary in the United States. So when Congress passed a law enabling the children of those prisoners to rejoin their parents here, Ngo was ecstatic. Now 28 and married, he had been working as a rice farmer to support his pregnant wife, Diem Pham, 21. Life in the United States would mean new opportunities and a chance to make up for lost years with his father. The couple finally arrived in America 2 1/2 months ago -- just as the U.S. military was shipping troops out to fight a new war. It is worrisome, said the refugees, many of whom are battling language barriers and a slipping economy as they try to find and keep jobs. But Friday, worry was put on hold for more than a hundred refugee families who spent the afternoon socializing with Santa and picking up food baskets and presents provided by Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg. Speaking through a translator, the Ngos said that although they are still seeking work, there is much to celebrate as they await the birth of their first child any day now. "We don't know what to name her yet," said the beaming father-to-be, but the baby will know her grandparents. "We are very glad to see them again and resettle in the United States, a very great country," Ngo said before turning his smile on a pint-sized stampede of Bosnian children brushing past him to see Santa. For at least one day, cheerful chaos reigned inside the new administrative offices of Catholic Charities on 16th Street N. Christmas decorations hung from the ceiling in a conference room where children clustered around piles of presents adorning a long, paper-draped table. A corner CD player blared a soundtrack to the scene as the refugees -- most from Bosnia, Vietnam or Cuba -- snacked on sandwiches and sipped holiday punch. "This is the first of what will be many Christmas parties here," explained Patricia Frederick, regional director for Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg. The nonprofit organization, which has branches nationwide, offers a variety of social services in Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. On Sept. 10 The St. Petersburg branch relocated from its former offices inside the recently demolished Notre Dame High School at Ninth Avenue N and 66th Street. "Now the community is able to come in and find out about all our services," Frederick said, noting that clients were still coming in the door as the holiday party began to wrap up. A few feet away, the guests of honor finished up their last bites and said their thank yous to the staff. As they filed out lugging gifts and food baskets, families from different parts of the world exchanged smiles.
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