By GAYLA CAWLEY
For many of us, Christmas brings to mind a hearty meal with family, a pile of gifts under a decorated tree, and a time of laughter and relaxation.
But for some, more help than an extra pair of hands in the kitchen is needed to make the day joyful.
ALSO: For Item Santa, need is as great as ever
For instance, one mother wrote a letter to the Item Santa fund, asking for help with Christmas for her two sons, age 4 and 7. She was laid off from work in September 2015, and it took her seven months to find employment. She was able to land a part-time job, working 20 hours a week. She juggles that with bringing her 4-year-old to pre-K and 7-year-old to first grade, and later picking them up after school.
“I am trying to catch up with bills and am finding it hard,” she wrote. “My sons deserve the world. I would appreciate any help that you could give me for my boys.”
You can provide the help she and the many others who wrote in for assistance, are asking for. Any donation, small or large, will be combined with other funds provided during the Christmas season, which altogether, could shine a ray of light in what might otherwise be a dark time for some families.
Now in its 50th year, the Item Santa fund endeavors to make Christmas a little brighter for those who are less fortunate. If you want to make a direct donation to Item Santa, clip the coupon in The Item and mail it, along with your check, to The Item Salvation Army Santa, P.O. Box 5, Lynn, MA 01903. You can also use the coupon attached to the itemlive.com version of this story as well. Item Santa coupon
All donations are listed in Item print editions through the month of December and into 2017, along with a brief message from each donor, if desired.
This year, we have several other ways to donate. To contribute online, go to www.itemsanta.org, where you can make a donation via credit card. We have also included a text-to-give function that will make donating to the fund easier. There are four steps: text 41444; type in ITEMSANTA, space, your amount, space, and your name (example: ITEMSANTA 250 John Smith; hit send; click on donation link to enter payment information and complete your pledge. The donation will not appear on your mobile phone bill. You must pledge directly from the link on your mobile device using a credit card.
Those interested in signing up to collect at Santa Island or any business willing to sell stockings should contact David Solimine Sr. or Joel Solimine at 781-595-1492.
NOTE: The application period for aid from Item Santa has closed and The Item does not process applicants. All questions about the program and distribution of gifts should be directed to the Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.