Kellee is turning to Item Santa this year for help in making Christmas special for her young family.
The single mother of three says her youngest, 5-year-old Kellsun, absolutely loves Christmas and considers it his favorite holiday, and, like any child, “his eyes glow at the sight of presents beneath our lit Christmas tree.” She writes that Kellsun is a lover of snow, fuzzy pajamas, and watching films like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Polar Express.
The precocious kindergartener may have only just begun his educational career, but Kellsun is already making his mother proud. She says that since starting school this fall, he’s been given the distinction of “Perfect Attendance” and was presented with his school’s “Core Value” award.
Like any mother, Kellee wants nothing more than to give her son the comfortable Christmas she knows he deserves, but she writes: “each year since he was born, there has been less under our roof and tree.”
The burden of knowing she’s unable to give her son a Christmas comparable to what many of his schoolmates will enjoy weighs on Kellee, who says that “there is nothing more frightening than knowing you do not earn enough to purchase gifts for your children.”
Kellee is grateful for what Item Santa does for children in need, and she applauds the generous contributions readers have made in the past for families who have fallen on hard times. “I commend the efforts Item Santa has done for decades in support of low-income families, like my own,” she writes, adding: “I hope you can be of assistance this Christmas for me and Kellsun.”
Coretta Scott King once proclaimed that the “greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate acts of its members.” This holiday season, Item Santa is asking readers to do their part in making our community a greater — and happier — place for fellow community members like Kellsun and Kellee.
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.
