Everyone remembers going to bed the night before Christmas as a kid, the overwhelming amount of joy, and the giddy feeling of knowing Santa was on his way. Barely being able to close your eyes because you were too excited to even think about falling asleep. Maybe you were the kid who tried staying up all night to catch the big man in action.
Everyone also remembers waking up on Christmas morning. The joy that has carried on from the night before shoots through the minds of children as they fly to the tree and see what Santa has given them. The rapid tearing open of gifts as parents watch smiling from ear to ear seeing the pure excitement on their children’s faces.
The event of Christmas is one that families and children look forward to all year long, spending time with family and friends, eating good food, and the feeling of giving. All things that make Christmas, Christmas.
Either way, the memories of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day live on in the minds of adults as they begin having their own families and gear up to pass on those beloved memories.
While these are typically positive memories that when recalled bring about a happy feeling, that is not the case for some families.
Across the United States, some families dread the feeling of the holidays approaching because the cost of obtaining gifts for their children is too high. During a season of such joy, this should not be the fear families have to face.
This year a mother and father are seeking help to provide their son with the same experience many of his friends are likely to have — to give him and fun-filled Christmas morning opening the gifts he’s been waiting all year to get his hands on.
Due to the extremely high cost of childcare, the mother is currently not working to watch over her son. With the high demands of having a child, it can be difficult for families to find reasonable childcare and a job that accommodates the needs of caring for a young child.
The father is using all his income to pay for the rent in order to keep a roof over their heads and provide food to ensure they are all well-fed. With the costs of both and any other bills, the family can’t afford to give gifts to their son.
Both the mother and father are asking for any help people are willing to give to present their son with a nice Christmas. Their appreciation spreads wide to anyone who can help spare a helping hand.
Christmas should be a time of spreading joy and with the help from communities, that can be achieved.
Now in its 58th 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: salvationarmyma.org/itemsanta.
All donations are listed in Item print editions through the month of December and into 2025, 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.
