This morning, we will have packed our final gift box for the 2014 Santa Fund season. It has been a bittersweet day for all the volunteers. As we got down to the wire on Monday, for gifts suitable for older children, we were blessed by huge donations by five anonymous angels with an estimated combined value of $1,700 worth of toys, mittens, hats and stuffed animals. Roger’s Hardware also had their collection boxes ready for us with approximately $400 in wonderful toys, and Nan Lea donated $50 worth of toys on Memory of Mildred Snow. These donations saved the day! On Monday, we received six monetary donations and nine applications, adding 20 children to the Smiles list! There will be a final count for Tuesday’s packing in the next article, as we wish to include as many as possible.

Remember, parents, that you will be picking up the boxes Thursday at your designated pick- up locations. Morning pick-ups are desirable, so that volunteers don’t have to wait all day for a final pick- up. Many families will have multiple ( big) boxes to bring home, so please be sure that you have adequate room in your vehicle. And, if not stated previously, the gifts will not be wrapped. Again, the number to call with any questions is 751-9051.

More than $ 2,470 was received by Monday evening, pushing the overall total to $ 46,207. Your support has been overwhelming and very much appreciated, as we have had more applications this year than in the previous two. Gracious thanks go out to the following monetary supporters: $ 118 from anonymous, $ 100 form Optometric Associates, $35 from Marybeth Burbank, $26 from Chris Porter, $25 from Suzanne Sylvester in Memory of Mike and Brant Williams, and $ 25 from Loretta, in Memory of Dustin, Cameron, Layla, Parents, and Grandparents.

The distribution locations will be printed in Wednesday’s paper. While the deadline for applications has passed, monetary donations may still be mailed to:

The Santa Claus Fund
P.O. Box 278
Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 751-9051 (For a few
more days: Tracfone)

At this time, we are not able to accept any more toys or knitted items, as our storage facilities are very limited. If there is anyone who can donate dry storage space until next November, please contact us immediately! Every dollar we don’t have to spend on storage and office supplies goes directly to the children we serve, and stays local. Our staff is entirely made up of volunteers, and we try to keep overhead to the very lowest possible.

As time winds down — Ho! Ho! Ho!