Santa plans to stop at the North Pole Annex on Monday to fill his sleigh.

The bins will be empty and the toys will be headed down the chimneys of nearly 600 children.

The volunteers worked very hard to make Christmas a better day for each child. They are going to be very happy. And thanks to all your generosity, we were able to do more for the children.

The Santa Claus Fund has a strong following. Some of you folks have been with us for many seasons. It is always a good feeling to recognize a name from previous years. Some donors’ names appear year after year. It says that you believe in the Santa Claus Fund, just as the volunteers do.

Several new people also showed this year that they believe in the Santa Claus Fund and its mission. It takes teamwork to make a program work. Our public support encourages our volunteers to do better, and by example, our volunteers inspire you to help. It takes all of us to make the fund a success.

This has been an interesting year with new surroundings and higher demand for our services. But I find just as the need is greater, so is the support.

I am extremely grateful for all your help. Whether it comes in the form of a check, or in the shape of a stuffed toy — or a beautiful hand knit item — it shows you care. You care about the children, and you know how it would feel if Santa skipped your house this year.

It doesn’t even have to be your house. You and I would feel bad if it was anybody’s house. No child should have to experience that feeling. It would be awful. That’s why we do what we do, and why you, in turn, do what you can do.

So let’s keep this program going for as long as it is needed. I know the Bath and Brunswick Elks are serious about this project — and have given of their time and money since 1985.

You must be wondering what our new numbers look like this evening. Well, the boys count has risen to 314, and the girls count is now 272. That adds up to 586.

We only received 10 letters Thursday morning. It might indicate the pace has slowed or the mail was late.

Today’s mail will tell the tale, because today is the last day we can process requests to provide Christmas gifts to local children who might otherwise go without.

Everything has to be ready to ship on Monday. We hope to wrap up by noon today. Time will tell.

Thursday’s donations were strong again.

We received a $100 donation from Carole and Bruce London. Patricia and Joseph Connor gave $50, “in memory of Larry and Mike Connor from his family.”

Pat and Barbara Sturtevant donated $50. Kateri Costain donated $400 in memory of “Judith Walsh from Teri and Judy’s son, Tom.”

Pat and Ray Bergeron donated $50, “in loving memory of Mom, Winifred Gott.” Maria and Dick McElman sent $100.

Barn Star Candle Company sent $50. Karen Karlstadt sent $10. Ray Labbe & Sons donated $150.

Patricia and Gerard Bouchard donated $50, seven pairs of mittens, two hats and four scarves. Custom Home Theater Systems returned this year after meeting us for the first time last year with a $250 donation.

Thank you, everybody. Your kindness is always appreciated.

Today’s total is $1,260. We have surpassed our $30,000 fundraising goal. We are at $30,148!

Now let’s see if we can raise that extra $5,000 we need to compensate for the increase in requests this year. We have dipped into this year’s receipts to purchase more toys to provide for the nearly 100 more children we’ll help this year than last year.

We have until Dec. 31 before I close the books on this year’s campaign. I think we can do it. If you haven’t already sent a donation and have been thinking about helping this year, we could really use your help. Just mail your tax-deductible donation to Santa Claus Fund Inc., P.O. Box 278, Brunswick, ME 04011.

I have to thank Teri Weeks for donating some yarn. We will see that it will be converted into mittens for next year by one of our knitters. Thank you for your original idea.

The next item on the agenda is to let our recipients know that they can pick up their boxes between 9 a.m. and noon Tuesday. Those of you who live in Richmond, Dresden and Litchfield can collect packages at the Richmond Town Office. Parcels for residents of Bowdoin and Bowdoinham will be at the Bowdoinham Town Hall.

Those of you who live in Bath, North Bath, West Bath, Woolwich, Phippsburg, Popham, Sebasco, Westport Island and Five Islands can be pick up packages at the Bath Elks Lodge, 12 Lambard St.

Those of you who live in Brunswick, Topsham, Harpswell, Bailey Island, Orr’s Island, Great Island, Cundy’s Harbor, and Durham can pick up packages at the Brunswick Elks Lodge behind the gazebo on the Brunswick Mall. The address is 179 Park Row. This is a change from previous years.

If you read this notice, please pass it on to someone who might not see this notice. Thank you for doing that for us.

Thank you for spending some time with us today. I will return on Monday.