The letter is short — only five lines — and the single dad who wrote it describes how he received custody of his niece and son a month ago.
He stepped up to care for them during this holiday season, even though he acknowledged he does not have much to provide them.
“(I’m) looking for any help I can get: Any help will do,” he wrote.
This simple request for assistance is repeated a hundred times over during the holiday season. The parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, foster parents, guardians writing to Item Santa aren’t asking for much. They need a helping hand to make ends meet so they can make the holiday season brighter for children in their care.
Adult problems such as money, jobs, addiction, rent increases and applying for public assistance are beyond the realm of children to comprehend. And that’s the way it should be.
Every day should be a joyful one for a child and Item Santa seeks to make at least the holidays a joyful time.
Item Santa provides a chance not only to share the elemental joy of Christmas with another person; it also lets people look for hope within themselves by feeling heartfelt charity exhibited by others. Item Santa has brought smiles to the faces of children who have the chance – thanks to the generosity of others – to open gifts on Christmas.
But Item Santa also brings necessities to people without adequate winter clothing, bedclothes and food. The philosophy of Item Santa is simple: If people in need can be shown the kindness of others, then they can gain the hope they need to help themselves and, in time, help others.
Some of the young people helped by Item Santa are new arrivals to the country facing the challenges of mastering English, attending new schools and finding their way around a place much different from the one where they were born.
Others suffer indirectly from the devastation that substance abuse visits upon families. Children struggle to sort out feelings of love and allegiance to adults in their lives, even as those grownups struggle with alcohol and drugs.
Now in its 53rd 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.
There is also a way to donate online, and have your contributions acknowledged, just click on the following link: https://newitemlive.wpengine.com/itemsanta.
All donations are listed in Item print editions through the month of December and into 2020, along with a brief message from each donor, if desired.
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.
