To kick off the season, the 100- member strong, Sagadahoc County division of the United Bikers of Maine, led by Ernie DeBiasio, designated the Santa Fund as their charity of choice for the Annual Toy Run. These bikers, laden with toys struck off for the Windsor Fair Grounds on Sept. 14. Our “Santa Bob” and his band of 30 volunteer elves met up with them and were astonished. Not by visions of sugarplums, but by the acres of motorcycles filling the fields, and the exhibit hall filled with enormous piles of toys collected from every county in the state. As there was no snow yet, we couldn’t use Santa’s sleigh, so made do with cars, vans, and trucks as we staggered under the load of toys valued at $3500, destined for our distribution area! Thank you UBM, Sagadahoc!

So far, we’ve received 11 applications, representing 22 children. We know there are many more families needing help, so every publication will include information for applying as well as where to send tax deductible donations.

The correct age limit for a child to receive gifts is actually 13, and not 12, as previously stated. If you have already applied and have a 13 year old you did not include, send in a correction and we will make it right! Please do tell us if you have sent in a letter though so that we can match it up.

The mailing address for applications and donations is:

The Santa Claus Fund
P.O. Box 278
Brunswick, ME 04011

If you prefer to donate new toys, games, hats, mittens, gift cards or cash, these may be brought to the Elks Club at 179 Park Row in Brunswick, or on Lombard Street in Bath. Just ring the doorbell and someone will assist you. All donations will be published in the Times Record in the manner you wish: By name, in memory of a loved one or anonymously. It will be our pleasure.

Our service area is Brunswick, Topsham, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Richmond, Litchfield, Harpswell, Bath, West Bath, Phippsburg, Woolwich, Arrowsic, and Georgetown. The custodial parent or legal guardian is the only person who may apply, and they and the children must be residents in one of these towns. Applications will be accepted until the mail is picked up at the post office, the morning of Dec. 17. The package pickup date will be Dec. 19.

Call us a few days after mailing your letter for your box number and pickup location. We will also try to reach you, but will not leave a message with a child.

Each letter must include:

1) The name and the physical address, as well as a daytime telephone number of the adult applying. A Post Office box address will be rejected. If we have any questions, we will call for clarification.

2) The first and last name of each child, gender, age, and date of birth must be included. No exceptions! We ask for gender because not every name is only used for a boy or girl.

Watch this space for updates, as donations are received, which we hope will be daily! Ho! Ho! Ho!