Well! Yesterday, the office elves generated more packing slips for packing today and a couple of elves straightened out the workshop to ensure that all the needed supplies were in place for Thursday morning. Empty boxes suitable for packing presents, had to be sourced from various stores as not all of our toys come in big boxes. All of this is a very coordinated team effort. It’s a good thing elves are used to working in the snow and ice at the North Pole, as today was a special treat for early morning travel.

If you don’t have plans for tonight and you are over 21, please come join us for a fabulous evening of socializing, food, drink, and fun at the Santa Fund auction sponsored by Joshua’s Tavern at 123 Maine St. in Brunswick. The auction will begin at 8 p.m., but if you can come earlier, you will have time for a nice relaxing dinner.

In Wednesday’s mail, we received 13 letters seeking help for 28 children. Our new “smiles” total is now at 239. Donations were $325, pushing us to the $16,700 mark. We are about halfway to meeting our goal, so spread the word to friends and neighbors. One never knows what the impact may be for a chance remark.

Thank you times seven to the Pine Tree Branch 156 of the Fleet Reserve Association for their donation of $100. We also received $50 from Emily and Benjamin Swan, $50 from Marie and Walter Lach, $50 from Jane Gott in Memory of Jerry and Winnie, $50 from Pat and Charles Lentz in Memory of Bill Doherty, and another $50 from the Lentz’s in Memory of Warren Hoffman. The final thank you for today goes to Sheila and John Hewitt for their gift of $25.

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!

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 (751-9051) 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.

So until next time — Ho! Ho! Ho!