Item Santa enters 41st year of helping needy families

LYNN – Forty-one years ago, this newspaper made a pledge to help the most needy families in its circulation area.Today, that tradition continues unbroken as The Daily Item enters its fifth decade of community philanthropy through its Item Santa campaign.Generosity by Item readers, corporate donors and individuals has pushed donations past the $100,000 mark for 11 consecutive years and organizers hope this one will prove no different.”We have every hope that the Item Santa will reach that goal once again and surpass last year’s numbers,” said Peter H. Gamage, president and publisher of The Item, noting the newspaper proudly sponsors the Item Santa and embraces its century-old tradition of community involvement.As always, the goal remains the same: Raise enough funds to make Christmas, indisputably the nation’s most festive holiday, a bit brighter for the region’s less fortunate.In partnership with The Salvation Army, the initiative has been bringing the spirit of Christmas into the homes of thousands of Greater Lynn residents during the holiday season with toys, clothing, food, blankets and other items.Unlike previous years, those in need were asked to submit their letters of request directly to the Salvation Army, rather than to the newspaper, before Nov. 23. However, there has been no change in the way donations are collected.All donations should be sent to The Item Santa, care of The Daily Item, P.O. Box 951, Lynn, MA, 01903. The coupon located on page B3 of today’s Item can be used if the donation is being made specifically in someone’s name. Donations can also be made at Santa Island in Wyoma Square, an annual collection location overseen by the Solimine family.The Salvation Army will distribute gifts between Dec. 18 and 21.Last year, the Item Santa raised $125,640. It was not a record-breaker, but did rank among the top-five years. In 2005, the fund-raiser brought in $128,318. In 2004, the Item Santa collected $115,010, only a few thousand dollars below the 2003 total of $124,386.89.The best overall year was in 2002, which saw donations reach $144,880.87. Interestingly enough, that big year surpassed the 2001 total by less than $10.The history of the Item Santa began during the Vietnam War, when the newspaper agreed to put its resources behind the fund-raising campaign by publicizing stories and pleas for assistance. The first effort brought in $3,269.”We’ve come a long way,” said Sean Leonard, editorial page editor.Anyone with questions about the Item Santa should contact Leonard at 781-593-7700, ext. 229.