Sometimes, it takes the innocence of a child to remind us what really matters in life, to ask the all-important questions that bring added meaning and perspective to our lives.
More than 100 years ago, eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the New York Sun asking if Santa Claus was real. She was assured by editor Francis Pharcellus Church, that, indeed, he was real and that her friends who did not believe “have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age.”
Church wrote, “Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies!” adding that, “ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.”
For most of us today, putting smiles on children’s faces on Christmas Day means presents and packages. It means gathering with family and friends and a time when we spare no expense or effort in making sure that our children’s material desires are satisfied. The holidays are a time when unbridled materialism inevitably takes over our lives.
Lost in the harried holiday shuffle and rush to put presents under the tree, however, is the true meaning of Christmas.
For 51 years, Item Santa has helped bring the true spirit of the season to children whose families have hit hard times and do not have the means to make holiday time a joyful time. Thousands of letters have been written to Item Santa asking for financial help and thousands of families have been grateful to learn that, thanks to Item Santa, their children will wake up Christmas morning and not be disappointed.
This year, however, one letter from an eight-year-old little girl isn’t asking for money or toys — much like O’Hanlon, she has more more meaningful things on her mind.
“I would like that in the world we would have more love and less hatred, that there would be more peace and that this new year will be full of blessings for all,” she wrote. “That’s what I want for Christmas. I want this holy year to make me a gift of anything possible, which would be nice.”
You can help make this little girl’s dream of a nice Christmas come true by believing in Item Santa.
To make a direct donation to Item Santa, fill out the form below or visit www.itemsanta.org.
All donations are listed in The Item through December and into 2018, along with a brief message from each donor, if they desire.
Anyone 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 the distribution of gifts should be directed to Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.
