To give, Item Santa must receive

LYNN – Today, The Item and the Salvation Army begin fundraising for the 48th annual Item Santa drive. This year, more than ever, we need your help. Again, as with last year, Thanksgiving fell about as late as it ever does, and there is less than a month until Christmas.Beginning today, and into the new year, we ask for donations of any amount to help ensure that thousands of Lynn and Lynn-area children in need will not be forgotten on Christmas Day.The annual drive, with the help of major sponsors including GE Good Neighbors, Connell Limited Partnership and David Solimine Sr.?s Santa Island collection teams, has eclipsed the $1000,000 mark for 17 straight years before dipping below $86,000 in 2013. It is our fervent hope that the trend swings back upward in 2014 – still a testament to the generosity of Lynn-area residents in the fact of a slow recovery from the recession of 2008.The Santa fund began with the Gamage Family, former owners of the newspaper. They continued the tradition until the Essex Media Group purchased The Item.It was also a favorite project of the late John S. Moran, The Item?s managing editor until his death in 1990. Under Moran, who received the Salvation Army?s Others Award for his efforts, the fund grew exponentially.In the beginning, the fund raised $3,269 ($23,564 in 2014 dollars) to provide holiday meals to families in need, delivered by a handful of Item managers and volunteers. The drive grew took off after The Item teamed with The Salvation Army about 10 years into to the program.The highest total came in 2002, when donations reached $144,880. The fund stayed over $100,000 until last year when it dipped under. The Essex Media Group has as its goal to get the fund back up over the $100,000 mark.Every cent raised by the Item Santa fund goes directly to families in need for toys, shoes, clothes and food. While The Item spearheads fundraising and publicity for the drive, the Salvation Army runs the program and distributes age-appropriate children?s gifts to parents and guardians (two toys per child), during a weeklong distribution period in mid-December. This year distribution will be by appointment in mid-December. Again this year, each family approved for help will also receive a voucher for a large turkey from Stop & Shop.?People have always shown tremendous generosity to the Item Santa Fund,” said Edward M. “Ted” Grant, Essex Media Group publisher. “We sincerely hope everyone who has the means to contribute whatever they can will do so.”The cause has greatly benefited from several major donors in recent years, but most of the money raised is from those who contribute small amounts in memory of a loved one or in lieu of trading gifts with family and friends.Every donation is listed in The Item and every donor, regardless of the amount given, may have a message printed as well.Meanwhile, collectors and collection teams are being scheduled for Santa Island on Broadway and Wyoma Square, which was founded 17 years ago by David Solimine Sr.?We?re scheduling people to collect during daylight hours. We really don?t want anyone out there after 4 p.m. because after dark it?s too dangerous,” Solimine said.Several years ago Solimine expanded the Santa Island effort to sell Item Santa stockings in restaurants, pubs and other businesses. Green stockings are available for a $1 donation, red for a $5 donation, and the stocking with donor?s name is posted on the wall of the participating business through the season.?We?ve had some restaurants, bars and social clubs participate, but we?ll welcome any type of business. We?ll provide the stockings and a poster,” Solimine said.Since its inception, Santa Island, augmented the past few years by the stocking drive, has accounted for 20 percent of the total Item Santa Fund donations.Solimine also notes that the Item Santa program has made lifelong givers out of many Greater Lynn residents.Anyone interested in signing up to collect at Santa Island or any business willing to