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November 21, 2009

School kids work with Santas Anonymous

BY BRIAN L. HUCHEL The Commercial-News Sat Nov 21, 2009, 12:21 AM CST

WESTVILLE — Santas Anonymous is facing an increasing level of need among families in the Westville school district.

The volunteer organization that brings donations of clothing, coats and other items during the holidays to families within the village’s school district already has a record 216 children signed up as of this week, according to coordinator Cindy Pataki. The potential exists that the number could grow to as many as 250.

“We thought it might be a bad year just because so many places to work have closed,” Pataki said, noting the 33-year-old organization has seen increases dating back to the closing of the General Motors Central Foundry a number of years ago.

Almost 200 children signed up last year for the program. This year, Santas Anonymous is calling upon some local children to ramp up the effort to help other kids in need.

The students in teacher Jenny Barnes’ third-grade class at Judith Giacoma Elementary School in Westville helped by creating their own posters for the Santas Anonymous program. Pataki said the 25 posters created by the students will begin going up around Westville next week.

“This is a good learning experience for the kids,” she said. “They can help and it teaches the kids that we help each other.”

She said Barnes’ students understand they are going to school with kids that are in need of the simple necessities. The posters included a Dear Santa letter asking him to bring items to the kids to a poem about how people can help.

“They’ve made these posters, some are simple but have a deep heart-warming message,” she said.

Forms are filled out for children who are helped by Santas Anonymous with information about the necessities that the children need, such as underwear, pajamas and shoes.

Around Dec. 23, a Santa with a bag of gifts for the children goes out to make the deliveries. Each gift is wrapped with the child’s name on it and signed by Santa.

Pataki said last year six Santas went out with 18 trucks and delivered gifts for about three hours.

The increase in children this year has prompted Santas Anonymous to begin earlier than usual.

“We have always waited until after Thanksgiving,” Pataki said. “But with so many kids we need to get started early.”

The program also gives toys that are donated. Used toys that are in good condition are accepted and given to the children. Toy donation barrels are located around Westville at Landmark Credit Union, Westville American Legion, Judith Giacoma Elementary School, Avenue Broadband and Hillbilly Meat Shop.

Christmas trees are also part of the giving.

“We think that it’s an important part that the family can have a tree,” Pataki said.

This year, Santas Anonymous is trying to collect 30 trees to give to families.

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