TEACHERS AND CHILDREN at the Blueberry Hill Nursery School in Brunswick hosted two Santa Claus Fund volunteers on Tuesday. The volunteers thanked them for donating $681 raised through a candle sale.
She currently has 20 children but is licensed for 40. The program operates from 9 a.m. until noon each weekday.
A VOLUNTEER EFFORT by Bath and Brunswick Elks to ensure that local children in need receive Christmas gifts. Updates written by a Santa Claus Fund volunteer appear in each edition of The Times Record from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve.
How did they do it? They sold candles made in Maine.
The Castine Candle Company put together a boxed kit of candles that the kids could sell to parents, neighbors, friends and relatives. They sold $1,362 worth of candles. That is pretty good for a group who average four feet tall.
I had to meet these young entrepreneurs, so I called Ms. Erin and asked for an appointment. We were pleased that she allowed us to visit the school and meet 10 of her students.
Joe Fournier, Santa Claus Fund volunteer extraordinaire, accompanied me to the school. Joe, a retired Brunswick police officer, was the school liaison officer during his tenure on the force.
We rang the doorbell and were greeted by Erin. We were then escorted over to the classroom where the children played. We were introduced to the class and they greeted us with a cordial melodious “Good Morning” in unison.
Joe and I did get out a good morning in return, but not so melodious. Joe can’t sing!
We told them we came to say thank you for the contribution they made to the Santa Claus Fund I’m not sure if they fully understood, but it was something we had to do. While we there, we took a group picture to save in our scrapbook and to share with our readers.
Ms. Erin and Ms. Kristen seated the children under the Christmas tree and we snapped the picture. It was great fun for us to call on these special little volunteers. Merry Christmas and thank you, Blueberry Hill Nursery School students and staff !
It was a very busy day at the North Pole Annex. We received more mail today than any previous day this year. That was good and not so good news for the fund.
The good news was we received several donations. The not-so-good news was we received many more requests for assistance.
The number of children who will receive aid from the Santa Claus Fund jumped from 475 to 542. We have surpassed last year’s number already.
I forecast that about 600 children will receive help from the Santa Claus Fund in 2011. That is nearly 75 more than we budgeted for. The letters that have been processed and approved now stand at 249.
We already had to replenish some inventory to fill some gaping shortfalls. But not to worry, the volunteers will work overtime to “Put a Smile on a Child Christmas Morning.”
I need to catch up on toy donations and knitted items. Karen, an employee from The Highlands, donated seven hats, nine pairs of mittens, a Playdoh set, a Twister game, a Connect game and a Time 4 Toyz game.
The Bath Elks Lodge donated a plush polar bear, an Indian doll, a cow, a rabbit, a Raggedy Ann doll, eight books, three pot holders, one Tonka Excavator, and a Napa 18- wheeler truck and trailer set.
Betty Gilliam made 15 knitted scarves. Betty now resides at Wiscasset Green and she said she loves to knit. Thank you, Betty, for your kindness and generosity.
An anonymous donor dropped off five story books, three toy cars, a space age crystal set, miscellaneous books and stocking stuffers. Julianne Nelson and Liz Mather gave us an assortment of many different toys.
Isla Drewette-Card gave us a new baby doll. Judy Caouette knitted 40 hats for our kids and donated four story books in memory of her parents, John and Edith Tourtelotte. Thank you, Judy.
The First Parish Church donated knit hats and mittens for our kids. Thank you, members of First Parish Church.
Employees from Two Lights Media donated an assortment of toys. Thank you, folks. Irene Irvine delivered a football, a stuffed toy walrus, a Playskool Collectors Case, one Viper radio controlled car, a Wasp helicopter, a Sorry game, a Kinex building kit, and an SUV with trailer wheel toy. She also had a check for $100. Thank you, Irene, we miss you around here this year.
Sherie Sprague stopped by to give us two Tonka trucks to add to the two bikes she donated last week. Thank you, Sherie. Jim and Ruth Wilson donated a bicycle.
Claire Beamis and Marcie Poland from Newman, Beamis Inc. donated several CAT Tough Trucks for our kids. Thank you for your generosity and kindness.
I hope this catches me up on toys and knitted donations. If I have not mentioned your donation, please call the Santa Fund at 319-9317 and tell us about your donation.
We received the following monetary donations today: Carol and Gilbert Scheidewind, $50; Paper Back Trader, $10; and Rachel A. Lamarre, $20.
Wilson’s Drug Store donated $500. Thank you, John.
Peter and Judy Labbe gave $100 in memory of their son, Alex, “who loved Christmas.”
Sons of American Legion Post 202 donated $500. Thank you so much. Rosalie Deschenes sent $20 in memory of “loved ones passed on.”
Mike and Sue Hart donated $100. Keith Brown donated $100 in memory of Joyce P. Brown. An anonymous donor sent $100.
Alfred and Hildegard Green donated $30 in memory of their son, Michael B. Green, and grandson, Michael A. Green. Stoddard L. Smith P.A. sent $25.
Dave and Dottie McFadden donated $25. Diane and Daniel Doiron donated $600. Thank you, Doiron family.
Linda Cronkite gave $100 in memory of Len, “who loved Christmas.” Katie Swan sent $10. Emily and Benjamin Swan donated $30.
Patricia and Oliver Andrews III gave $50. Jeffrey Tozier donated $75. Nancy Randolph and Peter Caron Sr. sent $25.
Candy and Reuben Hernandez gave $50 “in memory of Dad and Papa.” David and Teri Labbe donated $50. The Merry Meeting MidCoast Title LLC sent $30. Portland Glass donated $40.
Brunswick Instant Printing donated $130 “from the family of Dudley and Cora Leavitt in loving memory.” Hancock Lumber donated $100.
What a wonderful day for the Santa Claus Fund. We received $2,870. Thank you to all who sent in these contributions. I am humbled by your kindness and generosity. We now have raised $26,883.
I am so pleased that you have joined our team. We couldn’t do this without your continued support. Every year when we start this campaign, I am more than a little nervous. But you have answered my call for help once again. Thank you!
If you would like to help the Santa Claus Fund, you can do so by sending a taxdeductible donation to Santa Claus Fund Inc., P.O. Box 278, Brunswick, ME 04011.
We will publish your donation the next day. We still need some help to reach our goal.
We have gone back to our suppliers to purchase more toys, and that was not expected. The increase in demand for assistance is troubling, and it will create a shortfall for next year. Please help if you have been thinking about it. You’ll feel good after making that donation.
Guess what else happened today? We had a visit from Opy the Elf. Wait until I show you what he brought into the North Pole Annex this year. Look for it in Thursday’s edition of The Times Record.
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