All she wants is a Christmas tree

For many, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year, with holiday music playing on the radio and sharing time with family and friends.For others, the view may be different. December can be the most hectic time of the year, with countless hours spent sitting in traffic and waiting in long lines to purchase gifts.As frustrating as those staples of the holiday season may be, they are merely blips on the radar, something that at the end of the day is hardly worth losing any sleep over.Looking at the big picture, if one’s biggest problem is worrying about buying the best possible gift out there, then that is a fairly decent hand to be dealt, considering the unfortunate situation others seem to find themselves facing.A single mother of two who has written to Item Santa is struggling to even buy a Christmas tree. She works part-time and has to pay all the bills on her own. Purchasing gifts for her children is not an option due to her finances.”I feel less than a mother,” she writes. “I feel like I failed my children. I just want Christmas to come and go.”These clearly are not the words of someone who is enjoying the holiday season. “I’m really depressed about Christmas. It will hurt me to see my kids sad on Christmas.”No one should have to go through this kind of suffering, especially during a time of year reserved for joy and the spirit of giving. That is where Item Santa comes through for many struggling families, offering a glimmer of hope when they feel there is none.Even the slightest donation can help bring that hope to a family or individual struggling to make ends meet, thus affecting the happiness of their children eager to unwrap presents under the tree come Christmas morning.Now in its 48th 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 on Page A3 in The Item or print out the coupon on itemlive.com that accompanies this story and mail it, along with your check, to The Item Salvation Army Santa, P.O. Box 5, Lynn, MA 01903.All donations are listed in Item print editions through the month of December and into 2015, along with a brief message from each donor, if they desire.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 and should be directed to Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.