All four distribution points were busy Tuesday morning. The Bath Elks Lodge reported brisk traffic immediately after opening the doors. The Brunswick Elks Lodge had a line forming before 9 a. m. Richmond and Bowdoinham were going to open at 8 a.m. We didn’t hear from them, so we assume things were going well.

The women volunteers staffed the desk to greet people and asked for names and box numbers. They also checked their photo IDs. As soon as the parents signed the manifest, the men got the OK to bring up the boxes. They often carried the cartons out to cars for people. People were friendly and expressed their sincere appreciation for our help. Many exchanged greetings as they left the building. There were even a few hugs and even a few tears. But everybody seemed pleased.

With the exception of a few packing errors, we managed to get everybody a correct mix of toys. We still have a few boxes that weren’t picked up. Phone calls were made to those who had phone numbers. We reached some, left messages for others, and some we will have to try to deliver to their homes if possible.

In all, we packed toys for 626 — 329 boys and 297 girls. We processed 327 letters. We had three additional days for families to get their requests to us. Unfortunately, some arrived even as late as Tuesday, well after the Dec. 16 deadline to receive letters. It always is heart wrenching that some waited too long and we have closed the annex for another year. It is now just five days till Christmas and the volunteers need time off to get things done at home. Most everybody will enjoy sleeping in today, our first day off since late November.

I have a story to tell you. My daughter lives in Pennsylvania now, and is managing her household while her husband is in Afghanistan. She has two small boys, one in kindergarten, the other just 2 years olds. She was out running errands and stopped to have a late breakfast with her 2- year- old at a Friendly’s restaurant.

Sitting in a booth beside them was a lady who thought little Noah was just as cute and handsome as he could be. She mentioned Christmas at my daughter’s house should be a lot of fun this year. Deanna replied yes, but alas, there will be a big hole in the holiday because her husband and the boys’ father is in Afghanistan.

“Oh dear,” she said. “But do you have family around?”

Deanna’s told her that her parents are in Maine, but Adam’s were from a nearby town. When she said the town, the lady perked up and said that was where she was from. She asked what her last name was and lit up like a Christmas tree saying she once knew a doctor with the same name. Would that be his father she asked? No, but his grandfather Deanna told her.

They continued their chat for a few more minutes and the lady left saying goodbye and Merry Christmas.

Meanwhile, little Noah needed a little face washing and crumb removal before departing for the checkout. When Deanna and Noah reached the checkout, the hostess said your bill has been taken care of by the little old lady who had just left.

It restores your faith in people doesn’t it? Deanna was so touched, she returned to her table and handed the waitress a $10 dollar tip. One good turn deserves another she said, and I concur. We hope to spend Christmas with our daughter, and the two characters who call me Bampy. Can’t wait!

We received several donations from our readers Tuesday. Here is the list: Stacy, Allison, Kensley and Autumn Richardson donated $ 25 in memory of Doreen Richardson and Craig Gilliam. The employees of J. & S. Oil of Topsham donated $ 140 and thanked us for all we do for many families. You are welcome and thank you J. & S. employees.

Lori Benson donated $100. L. Valerie and Stephen Campbell sent $.5, Alton and Christine Wilson donated $5. Mary J. Lockwood Chamberlain contributed $100. Anonymous donated $ 25 in memory of Felix and Lorette Charron. Susan and Barry Lohnes donated $100 in memory of Cora and Ned Mulholland, Jack and Jeanette Lohnes, and Irving Lohnes. Another anonymous person sent $100 in memory of Dorry and George Ford.

Sandra and Paul Bouchard sent in $ 30 in memory of William Lowell. Marybeth and James Burbank donated $ 25. Jeanne and Lawrence Clampitt sent us $25. Betsy Eaton donated $50 “in memory of my parents Ann and Dick Brauns.” And still another anonymous donor sent in $50 on behalf of Shannon and Erin Harty. Sara and Howard Vandersea donated $25. Laraine and Walter Lach donated $50. The Nequasset Trail Breakers sent in $ 25. Bill Burke sent in $ 25 on behalf of Klamath Falls Friends Church, Klamath Falls, Ore. That that has got to be the farthest away donation we have ever received. Thank you.

Betsy and Craig Lane donated $25 in honor of Aunt Dot, who is 101 years young. Wow! Michael and Kitty Toman sent us $25 in memory of the Santa Claus Fund Volunteers who are no longer with us. Thank you Mike.

Betsy and David Steen donated $118. $1 each year in the lives of our sons and grandchildren Rob, Tad, Isabel, Benjamin, Emily, Allison, Tad II and Ian. We are truly blessed. You certainly are Mr. Mrs. Steen. Thank you.

Edward P. Roy, D.M.D., PA, donated $ 100. Mercedes C. Haines $ 50 in memory of James Haines. Linda T. Wood, attorney at law, donated $100. Eaton Trap Co. Inc. donated $ 50. The Harriet Beecher Stowe School staff members sent another $88. Thank you staff members. Barbara Boyland Hatch and Julian Hatch donated $100.

And the Brunswick Junior High sixth grade students from 2010 raised and donated $688.15. And the Brunswick Junior High class of 2011 sixth grade class raised and donated $940.59. Let’s hear it for the sixth-graders! Bravo and thank you so much. I would like to try and get to thank you personally when I return after Christmas.

This list is a wonderful example of a community getting behind a good cause. Thank you so much people and students for your kindness and generosity. Our treasurer and primary bean counter for the Santa Claus Fund says the total for today is $3,444.74. Yikes, what a day! I need a drum roll here: The new total is now $35,890.74. Thank you so much everyone!

If you would like to join our list of donors, all you need is to send a tax-deductible donation to: The Santa Claus Fund Inc., P.O. Box 278, Brunswick, ME 04011. I will be listing donations right up until Dec. 30. It will be published the next day after we receive your donation.

If you have a loved one you want to remember, just let us know, and I will add it next to your name and donation.

The wife has just flashed the lights in my office, and that means it’s time to turn off the computer. But I’ll be back tomorrow. Good night and stay well.