Community Corner

Project Santa Puts Personal Touch on Toy Drive

Project Santa is taking gift donations this weekend to ensure families in need have a merry Christmas.

It's the season for giving. Doing so will be difficult for many families, which means a hovering uncertainty that there will be gifts under the tree for many children come Christmas morning. Project Santa, a toy drive organized by Social Services, aims to provide those children with the Christmas they are hoping for. And with a list of children in need that exceeds 200, Social Services has their hands full.

An increase in those in need, and a declining economy would seem to create an unfortunate situation for those in need.

According to Kristen Formanek, Social Services coordinator, the food bank has over 500 registered households and serves an average of 20-30 households per day.

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"It's been a challenge to keep up with the need, and a challenge to keep up with getting the food," said Formanek. "It's been a challenge for us to keep the shelves stocked. As quickly as we're getting food in, it's going right back out."

But unlike food donations, gift donations for the holidays have not taken a hit. According to Deborah Sheldon, Social Services case worker, gift donations have gone up, matching the need.

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"This year [giving] has been totally over the top; donations have been more this year," said Sheldon, who was initially worried about a drop in donations given the economic climate. "More businesses and individuals wanted to sponsor a family."

The ability to sponsor a family is what sets Project Santa apart from the average toy drive. Interested parties are able to "adopt" a family that belongs to Windsor's food bank, and provide presents for the family's children. Families that qualify for Project Santa are those that belong to the food bank, run by Social Services, and have children under the age of 13.

Individuals and businesses, including some of Windsor's largest corporations, have come out in support of Project Santa, adopting family after family.

"One of the ones that I find most intriguing is the Historical Society in Windsor. They do an annual fundraiser. It's a huge event, and they actually get the information about a family and they auction that," Sheldon said.

"That means that you're bidding on the opportunity to buy for a family. You're going to spend $300 to win that bid. You've now won the opportunity to spend another $200 on gifts. That always boggles my mind."

According to Sheldon some of the local businesses that turn out for the auction event adopt 15 to 25 families each. Those businesses include Konica Minolta, Westinghouse Electric Co., and ING.

While giving has increased, the impact that Project Santa has on families is always significant.

"You can tell by the tears and the box of Kleenex that we need to keep there," said Sheldon. "I've done toy drives for over 25 years, and by far, I think with the economy the way it is, and the fact that we see [the families] on a monthly basis, there is, without question, families who would not have any Christmas if not for this program."

Donations will be accepted Sun., Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Public Safety Complex. Those interested in donating should bring a new, unwrapped toy to the volunteer ambulance building at the complex.

 


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