For so many years, the Item Santa fund was run on a schedule that seemed set in stone.
People seeking help wrote letters to the Salvation Army, which, in turn, referred them to social workers to make sure those requesting aid during the holiday season were eligible. Once those seeking help were cleared, those letters were forwarded along to The Item, with any information that would identify the writers redacted.
The Item’s writers would take one of those letters and construct one of the stories that have run daily in the paper from the day after Thanksgiving to Dec. 23. The letters clearly illustrate how much need there is, and just how insidious dire financial straits can be. A lot of us are one or two paychecks away from disaster. And with the COVID-19 virus, that goes double.
But the existence of COVID-19 has really forced the Salvation Army to step up in so many ways. And the Salvation Army has met the challenge admirably. Even the execution of the Item Santa campaign has been altered.
Capt. Helen Johnson from the Lynn Citadel says more letters are being submitted on-line. And the toys that the group buys with proceeds from your donations came into the Franklin Street headquarters the first week of December.
Social-distancing protocols have prevented the Salvation Army’s usual method of distributing the toys. In years past, people have filed into the Salvation Army gym with their vouchers and picked out their toys. This year, however, volunteers have been busy packing the toys in bags for the same type of curbside pickup as the Salvation Army uses for its food distribution program.
Now, people pre-register, and, beginning this afternoon, will be able to drive up to the Salvation Army’s entrance and pick up their packages.
“It’s been an unbelievable effort,” Capt. Johnson said. “It’s usually a difficult time anyway for people, but because of COVID, it’s even more so.”
What this process underscores is that, if anything, the need is greater. If you have any doubts, go to Manning Field and look at the cars lined up for the food distribution. And, Capt. Johnson says, almost every letter the Salvation Army has received this year has had the word COVID in them, and most of them describe the hardship these families have suffered because of a job loss.
None of us individually have the power to change this. But collectively, through the Item Santa Fund, we can endeavor to make some lives a little easier this holiday season. The Salvation Army has had to pivot to a different way of doing things, but Capts. Kevin and Helen Johnson have figured it out and have made it work.
You can too.
Now in its 54th 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 2021, 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 the Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.
