There are toys in every compartment throughout our storage area. Today, we begin picking and packing the toys.
This is the part of volunteering that is the most enjoyable. Our team members actually get excited at this point.
When we hand them the names with the ages and gender of each child, that child is theirs for the next 20 minutes.
They can’t wait to get started. They peek through each bin looking for that special gift — the gift that will put a smile on this child Christmas morning.
It’s almost a competition.
Our mischievous elves also love to push the start buttons on those animated toys. They love to point out a new item they just discovered. Look at this and watch what this does!
Dolls get comments like, “How cute is this?” The race cars receive quantifying ratings from the guys. I think they would play with the toys for hours, if we weren’t up against deadlines.
The new toys are fantastic, and these grandparents I work with still have “a whole lot kid on the inside.” Trust me on that! It isn’t a job, it’s an adventure. That’s why these folks keep coming back each year to help.
We will pack toys for 81 children today. We have 38 boys and 43 girls in the mix. Our office staff processed and approved 44 letters so far.
There are some letters in the pending file. If something is missing, we put them on hold. It is unfortunate but a necessary step to maintain consistency in our requirements. So please if you are reading this and are planning to send a request, follow our simple instructions that are listed below.
— You must be the parent or legal guardian of the child. We can’t make exceptions to this rule.
— We need your full name and address, and a telephone number where you can be reached. Please do not use a post office box for an address. You must also live within our service area. Keep in mind that children older than 13 are not eligible.
— We need the names of your children, their genders and their dates of birth.
— After including that information, mail your request to The Santa Claus Fund Inc., P.O. Box 278, Brunswick, ME 04011.
Wait two days, then call us at 319-9317. If your request has been approved, a volunteer will give you a box number and a date and destination where you will be able to pick up your box.
Please keep in mind that Dec. 16 is the last day we will accept any more requests. That’s just 16 days away.
If you live in Bath, Woolwich, Phippsburg, West Bath, Sebasco, Popham, Brunswick, Topsham, Harpswell, Bailey Island, Orr’s Island, Great Island, Cundy’s Harbor, Richmond, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Dresden, Richmond, Durham and Five Islands, you live in our service area.
We can’t help until you ask. We are here to assist families in need.
We are people in your community, maybe a neighbor, maybe a friend, or maybe a total stranger. But we will respond and do whatever we can to make your child’s Christmas a merry one.
Today we received contributions from Robert A. and Ima June Frost, $50: Timothy and Cheryl Peaslee, $50 in memory of son, Patrick Peaslee; Jane Henning, $50; Bill and Sally Haggett, $200; Bath Assembly No. 6, Rainbow for Girls $25; Mr. and Mrs. Otis Eaton, $25 in memory of John, Jr. and Dot Goodenow; and Coastal Metal Fab Inc., $125.
That’s $525 for today, making our new total $1,320.
Thank you, friends, we are well on our way to our goal of $30,000.
We also received a donation from Sherie Sprague of two bikes, four games, one racetrack and a Snow Block Builder. Thank you, Sherrie, for your generosity.
Margaret McCann knit and donated 315 pairs of mittens. Margaret would like to thank all those who graciously provided the yarn to accomplish this project. And I would like to extend my sincere thank you to Margaret. I wish people could see your choice of colors, which are just beautiful. The talent you display with the quality of your workmanship. I am in awe of all you do, Margaret; the Santa Claus Fund is in your debt.
Then there is Ms. Jean Pullen, the Santa Claus Fund’s biggest shopper. She collects the bottles and cans from Bath Iron Works employees all year long, then converts those dimes and nickels into Christmas magic. I have to hand it to you Jean, you are special. Our kids thank you, and our volunteers thank you. You always come through for us every year.
Jean Pullen donated 112 toys, valued at $1,090 on behalf of the first and second shift workers at Bath Iron Works. The toys are listed as follows: 2 Bikes, 7 Snow Boards, 8 Barbie Dolls, 1 Dress Set, 7 Disney “Princess Tiana” Dolls, 2 Coloring Teddy Bears, 5 small Stuffed Toys, 1 Hand Puppet and 1 Porcelain Doll.
The also gave 28 sets as follows: 1 “Houdini” Magic Set, 2 Rainbow Brush World of Color, 5 Play-Doh sets, 1 Pony Play set, 3 “I See Three” Match The Animal sets, 1 Train Block set, 3 Art Back Packs, 3 bowling sets, 3 Fun Art Oil Painting Sets, 1 Creative Kids Oil set, 2 Lacrosse Stick and Ball sets, 1 Tonka Mini Truck set, 1 “Hot Wheels” set of 4 Monster Trucks; and 1 Ping-Pong.
We received games too: 1 Dr. Seuss Matching Game, 1 Fun at The Zoo Game, 1 “Shake- Up” game, 1 All-Star Basketball Game, 1 “Don’t Touch Me” game, 1 Hang-Man Game, 2 “Ball Shoot” games, 2 “Penguin” games, 3 Game “Rugs” and 3 Eclipse board games.
Other miscellaneous items include 2 toy “Craftsman” Tool Boxes, 1 “Santa Fe” Train, 1 Laser Top, 3 basketballs, 1 football, 5 pairs of knitted children’s slippers, 2 Power Boat Cruisers, 1 Air Craft Hover Launcher, 2 “Best Lock” construction toys, 3 small fielding gloves and balls, 1 “Pop on Pals,” 3 Road Ripper vehicles (2 cars and 1 truck), 2 Sticker Bonanza Albums, 2 wooden puzzles, 1 Musical Carry Book, 1 Fisher Price Speedboat, 1 “Thomas Friends” Talking Toby Train Car, 1 Friendship Bracelet Kit and 1 Scratch and Color set.
Another group we need to mention is the United Bikers of Maine who this year, through their annual Toy Run, gave us $3,500 worth of assorted toys. There were two bikes, several games, trucks, dolls, plush toys, transformers, light sabers, Legos, baby toys and much more.
In addition, they presented us with Walmart gift card in the amount of $136. That is just wonderful. Thank you for such a great gift. Your friends at the Santa Claus Fund salute you.
If you would like to donate to the Santa Claus Fund Inc., you can do so by sending your contribution to The Santa Claus Fund Inc., P.O. Box 278, Brunswick, ME 04011.
We will publish your donation in The Times Record soon after we open your mail. If you have a loved one you wish to remember through your contribution, just ask us to publish it. We are happy to do that.
I’m ready for bed. It’s been a long day, but I enjoy bringing you the latest news from the Santa Claus Fund. I hope you are enjoying it too. A VOLUNTEER EFFORT by
Bath and Brunswick Elks to ensure that local children in need receive Christmas gifts.
Updates written by a Santa
Claus Fund volunteer appear in each edition of The Times
Record from Thanksgiving to
New Year’s Eve.
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