The need never ends. Even if the Item Santa/Salvation Army toy drive lasts roughly a month, the reason for the program extends far beyond artificial time limits.
This, however, is our way of alleviating some of that suffering. In it’s 55th year, the Item Santa raised $53,006 (as of Christmas Eve). More funds, still to be logged and acknowledged — as with all of the other generous gifts — are still to come.
We greatly and humbly appreciate all of your generosity. We realize that in this environment, and with so much uncertainty, any type of charity, and any extension of ourselves beyond our immediate circumstances, is something special, and something to be truly cherished. The Item, The Salvation Army, and the North Shore community are truly blessed to have such giving people among our readers.
If you want a testimonial as to why this mission is so important, look no further than the words of Capt. Helen Johnson, one half of the remarkably dynamic team — the other half being her husband, Capt. Kevin Johnson — that runs The Salvation Army location on Franklin Street. It was sent to The Item on Dec. 23, long after the main distribution of toys and other presents had been given to those who had signed up.
“We have helped over 1,500 children,” said Johnson. “(But) The Salvation Army has been continuing to take calls and giving out toys to those in emergency need in the last week. Two days ago I took a call from a woman who asked if we delivered food anymore.
“Unfortunately, I told her we do not have the volunteers to do that. Embarrassed that she even called, she said OK. Never mind. And (she) was about to hang up. She explained to me that she had a daughter who was COVID positive and her granddaughter, who she had custody of, was also (positive). She had no one else to pick up food for her. So I told her that I would deliver it for her. I asked if she was in need of toys. She admitted that she was only able to get her granddaughter a few things before she got sick, adding that she has asthma and the doctor said not to leave her alone at all. I told her I would have some things for her.
“After hanging up, I realized that we were very low on older-girl toys and this girl was 12. Pickering Middle School was about to bring in the rest of its toy drive so I waited, in hopes that there would be something in there for her. I was happy to find several things appropriate for her. With those and boxes of food, I loaded up my car, heading to the address given. I was surprised to find the house (was) close to Pickering. It got me thinking about how much this was neighbors helping neighbors. A parent at Pickering donated toys that went to another parent in her neighborhood.
“Also, I was able to drop the food and toys off and sit in my car while the mom was behind the glass door, and talk to her on the phone. I talked with her and encouraged her a little, while we both shed a few tears. We are glad to be able to have the flexibility to help those in need to the very end!,” wrote Johnson.
This says it all. It not only shows how wide the network of volunteers and contributors is, but it also shows the lengths to which the pastors of the local Salvation Army go themselves, to ensure that everyone who reaches out to them is given something.
None of this would be possible without you, because it is you who create the environment — with your donations (regardless of amount) — that spurs others into action.
So many different people and groups donated. The Rough Riders, a motorcycle biker club, launched its toy drive in the face of increasing alarm over the spread of the latest COVID variant. Still, the group raised enough money to donate $500 worth of toys.
Also donating toys, said Capt. Johnson, were Magical Beginnings in Wakefield, the Knights of Columbus in Nahant, Salem Five Bank and Pickering Middle School.
There were many more organizations that went to work on behalf of Item Santa to give extraordinary gifts, such as the GE Good Neighbor Fund and the William F. Connell Foundation. There is still time to have your work or your donations acknowledged. We will be running our usual list of donors on a regular basis well into January.
It is never too late, or too early, to donate. Money raised now will be put into the fund for next year’s toy purchases. Any and all contributions are gladly accepted.
You can donate through The Salvation Army at itemsanta.org.
Again, thank you all for your generosity.
Steve Krause can be reached at [email protected]
