We received a letter this week from a man who was a recipient of the Santa Fund’s when he was a child. He agreed to share it:

Dear Santa Claus Fund,

It may not always be said, but thank you for the work that you do. I promise you, many children will be warmed by the Christmas spirit and will remember as an adult the kindness that was freely given to them.

Thank you to all the elves who contribute and make it all possible. I hope my contribution helps in some way to continue the great work that you do.

As a young child growing up poor, I and my siblings were recipients of this vital program. I know firsthand the good work that you do. I remember certain gifts under the tree that were simply marked “From Santa.” Some were warm mittens and others toys. One Christmas, not much was under our tree. Times were tough, but I and my siblings had gifts that year, in part because of you and all of the Elves out there. The spirit of Christmas and giving to others is truly reflected in this fine program. God Bless you and all that make it possible.

Thank you,

Christian Bishop

Thank you, Christian, for your kind letter and your donation of $250.

Thank you to all our generous donors: The Rev. Joseph Lammarre, $100 in memory of veterans; $50 from employees of Amato’s; $255 from the Tim Horton’s Old Goats Club; David and Lorraine Waite gave $100; $10 from John D. Crafts; $100 from Goodwin’s Chevrolet- Mazda; $50 in memory of Eunice Wilson and Beverly Bibber from Elaine, Betty, Barbara and Sonny; and $25 from George and Barbara Wyman.

Thank you, anonymous, for the donation of $1,300 in toys; Theresa St. Pierre and Elizabeth Huntley gave 40 pairs of knitted mittens.

Thank you to Portland Glass for $25; Bath Savings Institution gave $100; Coastal Metal Fab, Inc. gave $100; Tess’ Market gave $25; Bodwell Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Inc. $25; Nancy Richards gave $26 in memory of the 26 Newtown Victims; Marilyn Dwyer gave $50; Patricia Robinson gave $25; Unity Circle of Phippsburg gave $100; Arther and Martha Mayo gave $100. Diane Moody donated 160 sets of hats and mittens; Marilyn Dwyer gave toys valued at $20; Bud and Jane white gave toys and homemade mittens; Mid Coast Retired Educators Association gave toys valued at $250.

David and Sandy Daigle gave $50; L.L. Bean Retirees gave $100; Regional School Unit 1 gave $250; Ronald Paradis gave $50; MaryBeth and James Burbank gave $35; Evelyn King gave $35; Riverwood Properties LLC gave $100; Frank W. Sparks III gave $50.

Thank you also to Charles and Marylyn Coffin, who gave $50 in memory of Kimberly Lyn; an anonymous donation of $50; Atlantic Regional Federal Credit Union gave $150; Mercedes Haines gave $50 in memory of James Haines; Pauline and Gary Flemming gave $50 “in memory of our parents”; $25 came from John and Sheila Hewitt; Marjorie Powers and Karen Watson $20 for Arthur Powers; Iona Osnoe gave $25 “in memory of our four sons, Calvin, Wayne, Stanley and Paul”; Alan and Carol Sockloff gave $100. Thank you for $100 from the Goat Ladies Forever; and Elizabeth Newman gave $25 in memory of Hugh Leavitt.

PLEASE SEND REQUESTS AND DONATIONS to The Santa Claus Fund, Inc. PO Box 278, Brunswick, ME 04011. If you have questions or want to know how you can help, call 319-5026.