Item Santa celebrates another successful campaign

The final results are in for the amount raised for this year’s Item Santa fund, and it has come in at a shade less than $85,000.Last year’s figure was slightly more than $86,000.Lynn funeral director David J. Solimine, through his many endeavors on behalf of the fund, raised close to $20,000, despite his Santa’s Island being displaced from its usual spot on Broadway in Lynn.Solimine was able to raise the money from collection efforts in Magrane Square, selling Santa Island stockings, and a celebrity bartender night at the Four Winds in Lynn.Santa Island workers were: Financial team: Adele Hultgren, treasurer; Jane Cahill, assistant treasurer; and the entire staff of the Equitable Co-op Bank.From the Knights of Columbus: Team captain Larry Donahue, assistant captain Kathy Donahue, Bernice and Phil Brooks, Joanne and Peter Wladkowski, James Cahill, Jay Dunn, Debbie Plunkett, Jon Wladkowski, Dennis Donahue, Ken Donahue, Clay Walsh and Jim Kidney.Team Zissou: Attorney Charlie Gallo, captain; Lynn City Council President Dan Cahill, Drew Russo, Gina Gallo, Justin and Amanda Schutt Gallo, Eric Little, Michella Hollbrook, Clint Muche, Sherry Kelley, Peter Aliferis, Jon Thibault, Tina Little and Jim Tarr.Santa Island collectors: Tom Kennedy, Leanne Kennedy Taylor, Joanne Fafard, Bill, Maura, Zack and Erika Glowik, John O’Connell, Daily Item carrier Billy Carroll and his parents.Four Winds celebrity bartenders: Patrick DeBoever, owner; backup bartenders: Tammy Bowdren, Sarah Russo, Melissa Atwood; celebrity bartenders: Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, Cahill, John Pace, David Solimine Sr. and Item managing editor Paul Halloran.Santa Island stocking sales: Tom Dill, Lazy Dog, founder of stockings; Rolly and Wendy Hayes, Rolly’s Tavern on the Square; John’s Roast Beef, Taso Nikolakopoulos; Little River Inn, City Councilor Rick Ford; Four Winds Cafe, Patrick DeVoever; Kim’s Barber Shop, Kim Patrizzi; Toomey’s Cleaners, the Kaminski Family; Charlie’s Seafood, Susan Collari; Lido Cafe, Sand Bar, Pelican Lounge.Maureen Whelan Memorial: Three bicycles and helmets in Maureen’s memory were donated by her co-workers at Salem Hospital: Diagnostic/Nuclear Cardiology, Pacemaker Clinic and Cardiac Blood Lab. Contact persons were Susan Purchase and Maryann Goulet.Two bikes and helmets were donated from Joseph L. Stevens Post 1240, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Swampscott; Jean Barker, contact person.Santa Island stockings production: Kathy Cormier at Velocity Printing, Middleton.