The Santa Fund received a letter from one of the founding members of the Fund. Peter Michaud was a Times Record employee for 44 years, and he reports that the Santa Fund began as a small effort by Caroline and Raymond Greenlaw, to provide gifts for some children of families in need of help. The first year, after collecting donations from employees of the Times Record, some employees, and their spouses shopped, wrapped and delivered the gifts on Christmas Eve. The following year, outside donations came in and a new tradition was born. Peter says to keep up the good work and if there is anyone still around from those early days, he would love to hear from you!

Thirty more letters, adding 73 children to the list, were received over the weekend. That totals 344 SMILES. With continued canvassing, our business-visiting elves and individual contributors raised more than $3,600! Between the mailbag and the merchants of downtown Bath and surround communities, the second week of December is beginning very well. Donations now exceed $23,000.

Thank you to the following: $120 from L. L. Bean retirees, $150 from Bath Suburu, $100 from Brunswick Ford Sales, $25 from Just Framing, $610 from J. S. Boatworks, $100 from Brunswick BPO Elks Chapter 2043, $100 from Fiona’s Catering, $20 from South Gate Restaurant, $100 from The Cabin, $500 from Wilson’s Drug Store, $50 from Bert’s Oil Service, $25 from The Sandwich Shop, $50 from Beta Sigma hi XI Beta Phi, $25 from The Bath Natural Market, $25 from Anonymous, $200 gift certificate from Fairfield Inn and Suites, $100 from McCormick and Bouchard Eyecare LLC, $30 from Janet and Bob Buck, $50 from Phyllis and Al Fuchs, $30 from Alex Kosmala, $50 from Ronald Paradis, $50 from Richard Bray, $35 from Frances Caswell, $25 from Dave and Dottie McFadden, $25 from Judith and Lionel Bourque, $25 from Henry Burkley, $25 from Joanne Greenlaw, $100 from Roger Perkins, $20 from Martha Bourque, $75 from the Albee Family from Phippsburg, $100 form Leon Smith in memory of William and Florence Cossette, $100 from Judy and Peter Labbe in memory of our son Alex, $200 from Sharon Maddocks in memory of Bea and Kenneth Patterson, $50 from the Davis Family in memory of Stanley Davis, $70 from Jeanne and Ed McKenna in memory of Jack, Murial, Anne, Jackie, Ken, Bob, and Bill, $100 from Janice Gallagher in memory of Bradley Gallagher, $50 from Gayle Brown in loving memory of my husband Richard “Dick” Brown, $50 from Patsy and Ray Bergeron in memory of mother Winnie Gott, and $25 from Peter Michaud in memory of my wife Jeannine.

Our service area is Brunswick, Topsham, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Richmond, Litchfield, Harpswell, Great Island, Cundy’s Harbor, Orrs Island, Bailey Island, Bath, West Bath, Phippsburg, Sebasco, Woolwich, Arrowsic and Georgetown. Only the custodial parent(s) or legal guardian may apply, and they and the children must reside in one of these towns. No exceptions!

Mail applications and donations to:

The Santa Claus Fund
P.O. Box 278
Brunswick, ME 04011

All donations will be published in the Times Record in the manner you wish: By name, in memory of a loved one, or anonymously. Donations of new toys and games, knitted items, gift cards or cash may be brought to the Elks Club at 179 Park Row in Brunswick, or on Lombard Street in Bath. Just ring the doorbell and someone will assist you.

Applicants, each letter must include:

1) The name and the physical address, as well as a daytime telephone number of the adult applying. A Post Office box address will be rejected. If we have any questions, we will call for clarification.

2) The first and last name of each child, gender, age, and date of birth must be included. Maximum age is 13. No exceptions! We ask for gender because not every name is only used for a boy or girl.

3) Call us a few days after mailing your letter for your box number and pickup location (751-9051). We will also try to reach you, but will not leave a message with a child.

So until next time — Ho! Ho! Ho!