As mentioned yesterday, Joshua’s Restaurant & Tavern in Brunswick will be hosting its 19th annual Santa Fund Auction on Thursday, Dec. 4. With a beginning draw of a few supporters reaping $ 200, the event has gained so much ground that it is nearly SRO (standing room only). Owner T.J. Siatras reports that $ 92,604 has been raised in 18 years! The auction and raffles begin about 8 p.m. The affair will wrap up about midnight, so for sure, this will be a funfilled evening. Because the event takes place in the lounge, patrons must be 21 years or older unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

For this evening, all the Maine micro-breweries will forego their usual marketing competitiveness, as they convene for a common cause, The Santa Fund. They will donate $ 1 for every pint sold, plus 100 percent of the auction proceeds will go to the Santa Fund. Auctioneers Alan Kenny and John Bergerin will take turns offering many items of interest to bid on. Celtic tickets with a VIP tour of Harpoon Brewery should make for lively bidding. Other items include Portland Pirates tickets, a beautiful painting by Dan Gagne, Bruins tickets, T-shirts, hats, barware, coolers… the list goes on. For more information, visit Joshua’s Restaurant & Tavern’s Facebook page. Last year the event raised well over $9,000. Let’s go waaay over the top this year!

We owe an apology to Peggy Thiboutot. Peggy donated the 25 pairs of mittens incorrectly attributed to Peggy Proctor. Sorry! Three organizations and three individuals have increased the coffers to over $ 15,200. One letter added four children to our list, bringing the “Smiles” to 185. Our sincere appreciation is extended to the following for their contributions to the effort: $2,000 in toys and stuffed animals from Reny’s, $50 from Beacon Chapter # 202 OES, $ 1,500 worth of dolls, games, puzzles, playsets, and bicycles from the first and second shifts of BIW, chaired by Jean Pullen. Other donations included $100 from Cheryl and Tin Peaslee in memory of their son, Patrick Peaslee, $ 30 from Nancy Campbell, $25 from Candace Cheney, and four bags of toys and games valued at $200 from Anonymous.

Our service area is Brunswick, Topsham, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Richmond, Litchfield, Harpswell, Great Island, Cundy’s Harbor, Orrs Island, Bailey Island, Bath, West Bath, Phippsburg, Sebasco, Woolwich, Arrowsic and Georgetown. Only the custodial parent(s) or legal guardian may apply, and they and the children must reside in one of these towns. No exceptions! We will begin processing applications on Dec. 1, so please wait until Tuesday or Wednesday to call for a box number, if you have already mailed in your letter.

Mail applications and donations to:

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

All donations will be published in the Times Record in the manner you wish: By name, in memory of a loved one, or anonymously. Donations of new toys and games, knitted items, gift cards or cash 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.

Applicants, 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. Maximum age is 13. No exceptions! We ask for gender because not every name is only used for a boy or girl.

3) Call us a few days after mailing your letter for your box number and pickup location (751-9051). We will also try to reach you, but will not leave a message with a child.

So until next time — Ho! Ho! Ho!