It is with great pain and pleasure that I announce the closure of Santa Bil’s Workshop. What started as a way for me to give back to the community, grew into a family operation of giving while reaching hundreds and hundreds of children throughout York County. It has now become a trusted organization which has touched the lives of so many people. Growing with Santa Bil’s through the years I have met many families and people that have changed my life. Watching my mother in the beginning and my wife and daughters help run this program has shown me year after year how much family matters in a community. When we expanded to Sanford, I watched one of my Biddeford volunteers build the program there and it gave me a great sense of pride. Thank you to Sheila, Shawn, Aric, Heather, Desiree and all of the Sanford volunteers for your hard work. I also have to thank all of my volunteers here in Biddeford and from the surrounding areas. It wouldn’t have been possible without you and your long nights, sorting and loading in rain storms, packing up in blizzards and the countless people that delivered trees or volunteered their trucks. To anyone that donated items, thank you so much for everything you did.
There is a long list of businesses and organizations that helped us to keep the Santa Bil engine moving forward. The Wonderbar, Grady’s, Dupuis Hardware, University of New England, the City of Biddeford Recreation Department for always giving us a space or bringing the bus for an event, David Bourque, Biddeford Public Access, every business that had a drop box or donation jar, the Stone Soup Food Pantry for their continued guidance and the Sea Road School in Kennebunk for their wonderful students who helped us with toy donations. Along the way we have had help from state representatives, senators, mayors, councilors and many other elected officials. Since the beginning of our program I have appreciated the support from Mayor Casavant, former Sen. Nancy Sullivan and Sen. David Dutremble. The Biddeford/Saco delegation has always helped Santa Bil’s when they could and I have to thank them for that. I also have to thank everyone that sent us a check or made a donation at an event or dropped change in a jar. Your contribution was the steam at the end of each year to allow us to purchase whatever presents or food gifts cards we may have needed in an emergency. I apologize if I left anyone out but again I want to thank everyone for their part in making Santa Bil’s Workshop a success.
The reason for Santa Bil’s Workshop closing is a simple one. I have been hired by the Salvation Army for a job that continues the work I have been doing for Santa Bil’s. In this way I can continue to serve the community as well as be of service to my family. A special video will be posted on Santa Bil’s Facebook Page and website soon. Thank you again.
Bil Moriarty, Biddeford
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