A grandfather's hope for smiles
Globe Santa asks help to meet need
The serious economic problems facing the nation and much of the rest of the world are making this Christmas season particularly difficult for many people.
Globe Santa, as he goes about preparing to provide Christmas gifts for well over 50,000 needy children in Eastern Massachusetts, knows all too well that this year is going to be tough going.
As he embarks on his 52d annual mission, he is faced with a marked increase in the number of families seeking gifts, and he also knows it may be more difficult this year to raise money for the Globe Santa Fund, which in recent years has received over $1 million each Christmas season from thousands of "Santa Friends."
The uncertainty of the economy and the fact that so many people have lost jobs and investments because of the financial and economic collapse means people might not be able to contribute as much to the Santa Fund as they want to. So Globe Santa is telling people that even small donations will help.
The plea for financial help comes at the same time as the number of requests for gifts has increased some 20 percent over last year of just over 16,000 families.
The letters seeking assistance come not only from parents and children, but also from many grandparents who have been forced to take over the job of bringing up their grandchildren.
One letter comes from a single grandfather recovering from three heart attacks.
He writes Globe Santa "on behalf of my two grandchildren," one who is 6 and the other 3.
"Although my health has improved, I am unable to work and I am living on disability. Due to circumstances that I will not go into, I found it necessary to request and have received custody of my two wonderful grandchildren."
"For such small souls, they have been through so much anguish these past few years. Being able to give them a stable, structured environment I've begun to see their warm smiles and loving nature return," the letter says.
"The small disability benefits I receive pays the rent, puts food on the table and clothes on their backs, but leaves nothing for anything else. Like all grandparents, I would like nothing better than to lavish them with toys and holiday gifts, but I am not able."
"I ask that Globe Santa help me bring a smile to my grandchildren's faces this holiday. Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated."
Globe Santa welcomes your help in providing happiness for the thousands of boys and girls like these.
Contributions to Globe Santa can be mailed or made online or at any of the Globe Santa sleigh visits that will be held in and around Boston daily from now until Christmas. 