By GAYLA CAWLEY
One mother is trying to ensure that Christmas doesn’t fall on the backburner as she and her husband struggle to provide for their children’s basic needs.
“We are sad to say that this Christmas, we will not be able to afford presents they deserve,” she wrote in a letter to Item Santa. “My oldest son especially, because he is in school this year and doing such a great job, he deserves to have a good Christmas like every child does. Times are very hard right now between providing food, clothing and even heat this time of year, as it is getting cold. We really hope that we could afford a good Christmas for them this year but we can’t.”
She’s asking our readers to make the holiday happy for her children by making sure that they have presents to open on Christmas morning.
DONATE: Item Santa coupon
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.
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.