Their corporate name is Pitter Patter Inc., and many of you may not be aware of this children’s boutique located at 129 Front St., Bath.

It’s a locally owned business started by Colleen Whitaker. She and Patty Crump, her assistant, have been at the store for nearly five years.

The Santa Claus Fund was looking for another local supplier where we could put dollars back into the local economy. We also had a need for quality wooden toys that did not have lead paint in the manufacturing process.

I made some calls and soon decided to meet with the owner of the store. Colleen had a line of wooden toys by a company named the Plan Toy Co. The toys were well made and offered tremendous play value. They were just what I was looking for.

I decided to give the Pitter Patter store an opportunity to become one of our suppliers. Colleen and Patty went right to work. They made calls to their suppliers and explained who they were for, and the companies responded with deep discounts for the Santa Claus Fund.

I found other lines in her store that were equally rich in play value. Among them are hand puppets from the Folkmanis manufacturing company. Folkmanis was started by a women suffering from multiple sclerosis who worked from her home. Today it is known worldwide.

Mrs. Folkmanis took time this year to write a letter to Colleen and said she was sending 15 free puppets with the Santa Claus Fund order.

Because Colleen is so committed to our cause, she worked overtime in getting us 40 percent more for every dollar spent. Now that’s what I call going the extra mile.

The store has more than just toys. It features clothing by Zutano and Kissy Kissy. They carry Ergo Carriers for new mothers and their infants, and they carry children’s books too.

Patty informed me they do free gift wrapping with every purchase. Now that’s great personal service. Visit their store and see for yourself.

I have some corrections again today. Believe me, I’m trying to avoid these pitfalls, but we are working through them.

Here are a few I need to revisit: Joseph Sheehan Sr. and Lema Sheehan $50 in memory of Mitch Lewis, Edward and Jeanne McKenna $60 in memory of John “Jack,” Muriel, Anna, Jackie, Kenny and Billy McKenna. Paula Billings $25 in honor of our service men and women.

Today’s contributions came from David and Sandy Daigle, $50; ZT Motors, $50; Evelyn King, $35; Richard and Verna Lagasse, $25 in memory of Mitchell Lewis; and Larry and Mary Reese, $25 in memory of Frances Perry.

Grace Jones gave $100 in memory of Edward F. Jones, a longtime supporter of the Santa Claus Fund. Bill and Charlene Braley donated $250.

Kathleen Watson Goodwin sent $60. Benjamin Pelletier sent $25 in memory of “my grandparents, Ray and Caroline

Greenlaw.”

Mark Brassard sent $35 in memory of Maxx Darling Ballard Brassard. Harold and Barbara Hutchinson mailed us $25.

We also received donations of $100 from “The Goat Ladies Forever.” I don’t make these things up people.

Mary Pitt sent $50. Richard Lancaster donated $50 in memory of “my wife Carol,” who passed away this past August.

Elizabeth Newman mailed $25 in memory of Hugh Leavitt. Bonnie McGowan sent $50. Bill and Kathy Tucker donated $50.

Bonnie and Dana Delano sent $100. Gayle Libby mailed $30. Patricia Robinson sent $25. Charles and Mary Coffin donated $50.

Mike and Ray Rosenzweig sent $36 “Remembering KJ,” and Electa Chapter No. 2 Order of the Eastern Star donated $25.

We also received $600 from Robert and Nancy Litwinski in Oveido, Fla., and Brunswick, Maine. Thank you for your long distance contribution each year.

The Pine Tree Branch 156 Fleet Reserve Association contributed $50 in memory of “our shipmate, Mitchell A. Lewis.” Corley Anne Byras gave $50 in memory of “George S. Byras from the Byras family.”

Gail Moore donated $10, and Bonnie Nelson gave $100 in memory of Brandon Shaw.

That is a terrific outpouring of support for the Santa Claus Fund. I can’t thank you enough.

Today’s total is $2,081. Thank you! Our new running total is now $8,032. You are doing great. We are moving closer and closer to that $30,000 goal.

If you have been following our progress and you have been thinking of helping this year, now would be a good time to send a tax-deductible donation to: The Santa Claus Fund Inc., P.O. Box 278, Brunswick, ME 04011. We will publish your name and list your loved one if you would like to do that.

Here is the surprise of the day: We have hit 315 children being helped as of today. We were at 177 on Monday. I thought the number Monday was low from the volume of letters that we received.

The process sometimes slows down just because there is so much mail, and that was the case Tuesday. The office staff went into high gear to get caught up. Great job, ladies!

The breakdown is now 167 boys and 148 girls. The letters are now at 168.

The picking and packing staff all need a heating pad so they get out of bed Thursday. You have to love these volunteers. They met the challenge head on. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

We have exciting news to share Thursday. I am sending the volunteers on the road and they are going to be real busy. You’ll have to wait to find out what is next.

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