By HAROLD RIVERA
A family of refugees from Iraq is hoping to find help this holiday season.
The mother attends school and the father is temporarily out of work.
“I have one child. I go to school to learn English and look for a job, and my husband is temporarily out of work to have surgery on his foot,” the mother wrote in a letter to Item Santa.
The family is struggling to make enough money to pay their bills.
“Please help me with getting Christmas gifts for my son this year, as we cannot afford it at this time,” the mother wrote.
Now in its 50th year, the Item Santa fund endeavors to make Christmas a little brighter for those among us 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.
Donation Coupon: 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, there are several other ways to donate. To contribute online, go to www.itemsanta.org, where you can make a donation via 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 Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.