The holidays can be a stressful time, but for parents struggling to find steady employment and trying to make ends meet for their children, providing a cheerful Christmas can seem impossible.
One stay-at-home mother by necessity says her husband works full-time “and then some” to try and cover the family’s everyday expenses, but bills are still past due.
The mother wrote to Item Santa requesting “holiday help” for their three young girls, who are 3, 6 and 9 years old, because her husband will be unemployed for Christmas as his job is seasonal.
“Unemployment helps, but it is less than his working pay so it’s even harder to just survive,” the mother wrote. “Our children have had it rough the past few years. We want them to have a jolly full Christmas, so please help us in our time of need.”
Another mother of three young children works part-time because of health reasons. She wrote her children have already made their Christmas lists for Santa Claus but she is heartbroken knowing that she won’t be able to provide the gifts they asked for.
“Please help my girls by making their dreams come true so they would wake up on Christmas morning and still believe in Santa,” the mother wrote.
Now in its 52nd year, the Item Santa fund helps to make Christmas brighter for the needy. To donate, clip the coupon in The Item and mail it, along with your check, to The Item Salvation Army Santa, PO Box 5, Lynn, MA 01903. You can visit itemsanta.org to make a donation online.
All donations are listed in The Item print editions through the month of December and into 2019, along with a brief message from each donor, if desired.
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 should be directed to Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.
