Thousands of Bolivian children packed the soccer stadium in La Paz, Bolivia on Wednesday to receive Christmas gifts in an annual event organized by local charities.

As Christmas approaches, children take to La Paz's streets, singing carols for coins to help their families in South America's poorest nation.

[Kevin Copa]:
"I sing to earn money and give it to my mom so she can buy food."

Copa was also among excited children who lined up outside La Paz's Hernan Siles soccer stadium on Wednesday to receive one of the 114,000 gifts handed out by volunteers.

Families started lining up as early as Tuesday night for the event known as "A Smile for Every Child."

Gerardo Milan, one of the event organizers, said the pay-off was seeing children's faces light up when they received their gift.

[Gerardo Milan, Event Organizer]:
"Our goal is to make children smile, without a doubt. Seeing a child smile is the best satisfaction our volunteers can have."

About 56,000 children waited in bleachers as clowns and dancers entertained. Volunteers worked quickly to unload the thousands of gifts and distributed them to an endless stream of kids.

[Jorge Aruquipa]:
"It's nice. I'm very thankful for my gift."

Efforts by President Evo Morales to spur economic growth and raise social spending could mean children like Jorge will have a brighter future. Analysts say Bolivia is on track to shed its status as South America's poorest country.

In October, the International Monetary Fund said that Bolivia is likely to post Latin America's strongest economic growth this year at 2.8 percent.