Let's Put a Smile on Children's Faces for the Holidays

As soon as the Halloween costumes are packed away, many children began writing their wish lists to Santa. They know that Christmas is right around the corner and they want to make sure their letters make it to the North Pole in more than enough time. Often times, a large number of these children live in poverty stricken homes and neighborhoods where their families struggle just to keep the rent paid, food on the table, and clothes on their backs. A local newspaper in Chicago, The Chicago Sun-Times has a program where readers can requests these children's letters to Santa and purchase gifts for the children. In other words, you get to be the jolly guy in red and be their Santa! This program helps to provide gifts for children who otherwise may not have seen a gift under the tree on Christmas morning.

Each year the Chicago Sun-Times receives over 20,000 letters to Santa from schools, social service agencies, Head Start programs, and homeless shelters where children write down a few gifts they would like for Christmas this year. Many of these children don't ask for typical gifts like dolls and sports cars for themselves. Instead a lot of them ask for a doll for their baby sister and maybe a book for themselves if it's not too much trouble. I've been participating in this program for a few years now and it touches my heart how children who don't have much still think of others before they think of themselves. There is a joy and innocence in their letters that just can't be described by mere words. Being able to buy presents for these children is a great pleasure. Knowing that there will be children smiling on Christmas morning due to the kindness of many strangers shows the true meaning for the season.

Here is how it works. You can either request letters online at the Chicago Sun-Times website (http://www.suntimes.com/index.html), calling the paper at (773) 890-7373 and requesting a letter, or request letters by mail by filling out a request coupon that comes in the daily newspaper. You are asked to purchase a gift or gifts the child asked for, keeping the gifts within the $25-$30 price range, more or less. If you want, you can even include a short note to the child (from Santa or Santa's Helper of course). You can hand deliver, mail, UPS, etc. the gift directly to the child's school or agency. You are encouraged to wrap and label the gifts with the child's information (i.e name, classroom #, program/shelter name, etc.). You may also donate additional gifts to the schools and agencies to ensure that no child is left without a gift for Christmas.

In addition to purchasing gifts, the Chicago Sun-Times also has an Empty Stocking Fund where readers can donate money that will be used to purchase warm clothing for the neediest kids, Christmas gifts, as well as support other local children's charities.

Every Santa's Helper is thanked in ads that run during and after the holidays unless they wish to remain anonymous and not have their name published in the newspaper. I'm sure I speak for many others when I say I don't care if my name is published in the newspaper or not. It brings me joy knowing that I made a difference in the lives of children this holiday season and brought smiles to their little faces. Giving truly is better than receiving.