Santa doesn’t have an easy job. It seems that the deeper we get into the 21st century, the larger the issues become and the more heavily they weigh upon us.

There once was a time when we thought, perhaps naively, that there would be no more wars. Sadly, right now, we’re on the outside looking in at two of them. We hear about them every day, and they certainly affect our mood and our desire to be happy and festive.

In the middle of all this, Item Santa has been busy doing what he always does: everything humanly (and superhumanly) possible to make sure the less fortunate among us get to have an old-fashioned Christmas. All he has requested, for the past 57 years, is your help.

This year, you gave it. As of last Saturday, you, the readers, have pledged $61,430. With the long Christmas weekend, we hope we’ll be recording even more donations.

We humbly thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts. We know what a sacrifice it is to take money you’ve set aside for your own families and donate it to charity. Even donations that some might consider miniscule are important to the Item Santa cause. 

We are especially grateful to the GE Good Neighbor Fund for its generous gift. However, no donation is too small, and we hope that you take that to heart in future years. Why? Because it’s not just money you’re giving to the Item Santa fund. It’s a piece of yourselves. It’s an act of love and concern for your fellow man.

Thanks to your donations, the Salvation Army of Lynn was able to purchase gifts for girls and boys who might not have otherwise been able to celebrate with any. Any money you donate after the holidays will be used for the same purpose. 

If you missed donating before Christmas, and still want to, please go ahead. Similar to donations received in the past month, your gift will be recorded and acknowledged in the paper. We feel that it is important to recognize our donors, even the ones who prefer to remain anonymous.

So, for the final time in 2023: To donate, mail your check to The Item Salvation Army Santa, 85 Exchange St., Lynn, MA 01901.

There is also a way to donate online through the Salvation Army at http://itemlive.com/itemsanta . 

All donations are listed in Item print editions through the month of December and into 2024, along with a brief message from each donor, if desired.

NOTE: The application period for aid from Item Santa has closed and The Item does not process applicants. All questions about the program and distribution of gifts should be directed to the Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.