Everything during the Christmas season is magnified, whether intentional or not.
Take lights. Some families go all out, festooning their houses in a manner that can only be described as “Griswaldian,” named for the “Vacation” family of whom excess is merely the norm.
Then there’s weather. Every day the word “snow” has to be mentioned in a forecast, with the usual amount of glee and dread. Some folks love it. Others are petrified of it. But the closer you get to Christmas, the more of a factor it becomes.
Then there’s poverty. There’s nothing cute or funny about it. And there’s nothing easily definable about it either, even if many people — the ones who don’t pay attention and don’t observe — have their preconceived ideas of poverty and what causes it.
The truth, though, is harder to define. This is the time of the year when the working poor have the toughest time, and it’s because there are so many demands put on families, and all of them cost money. And this is where we need the Item Santa the most.
To members of the working poor, Christmas represents just another demand put on a badly beaten-up wallet. There’s no joy. No sense of wonderment. No lasting images of children dressed up like cherubs singing Christmas carols.
The two biggest conditions that crop up are “need” and “want.” We all need things, like groceries, heat, a home, and clothes. And there are things we really want, like a better TV, maybe a vacation somewhere, or something just a bit more moderate, like a computer game.
But what if “need” and “want” collide? Then what? What are your choices?
“We are a low-income family,” today’s letter to Item Santa begins. “Our salaries (go toward) daily expenses and we have no extra money to buy gifts for our children.”
This letter seems to open like many of them do: there’s incoming coming into the house — just not enough for that old-fashioned Christmas with presents under the tree and cookies baking in the oven.
The people who write these letters aren’t asking for the world. Just help “so we can give gifts to our children.”
Can you please help? Time is growing short, and there are so many people who still need the help Item Santa can provide.
We’re counting on you!
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.
