Begun by two school nurses in Springfield, the Santa Claus Club has enabled Springfield residents to lend a helping hand to their neighbors during the neediest time of the year.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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SPRINGFIELD -- Don't bother trying to tell Chris Dufresne that there isn't a Santa Claus. For 59 years, she says, Santa has helped to make Christmas a little merrier for low-income families in Springfield.
ReplyDelete"There is a Santa," she said. "In one way or another, there's someone out there who will make wishes come true."
This year, Dufresne and Marty Hammond continued the six-decade tradition of the Santa Claus Club in Springfield, which purchases coats, snowsuits and pants, boots and other necessary items that are then given to Springfield-area families. Begun by two school nurses in Springfield, the Santa Claus Club has enabled Springfield residents to lend a helping hand to their neighbors during the neediest time of the year.
"The Springfield community is amazingly supportive of this effort," said Hammond.
Like Santa's elves at the North Pole, Dufresne, Hammond and other Santa Claus Club volunteers work year-round to solicit funds to purchase brand-new winter clothing and other gifts for Springfield children. The group has worked with local businesses and organization to purchase items.
"We have donors usually associated with businesses," said Hammond. "Springfield Hospital took 100 tags, and 100 Springfield Hospital employees shopped for kids for the Santa Claus Club."
Working with parents, she said, is key.
"They tell us in advance what they need and the sizes that the children need," she said. Each year, the Santa Claus Club opens its doors at the Springfield Family Center to parents to select items for their children. In addition to children, the Santa Claus Club serves approximately 40 elders in the community who don't have family living nearby. Aside from coats and boots, many other necessary items are donated as well.
"There are so many people who knit mittens that are donated to the Santa Claus Club, so every child leaves with new mittens and hats," said Hammond. "We also provide every child with a big tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush," and small children are also provided with sleepwear.
In the midst of a sluggish economy, Dufresne said that she had her doubts about whether the club could serve all the families who applied.
"Every time we feel that we have a need that we're not going to be able to make, it gets filled somehow," she said. She used the example of a shopping trip to J.C. Penney, where the group explained its purpose and was given an employee discount to purchase childrens' boots.
On Dec. 19, approximately 160 families braved snow and ice to make it to the Santa Claus Club at the SFC.
"Most everybody made it in pretty horrendous driving conditions," said Hammond. "We are always so impressed with how the community supports this project and supports families who are working hard to provide for their kids."
By Katie Beth Ryan, Staff Writer
Eagle-Times