T&G Santa Fund mission a success.

• Position: NEWS

Byline: Ellie Oleson

COLUMN: TELEGRAM & GAZETTE SANTA

Donors to the 70th annual Telegram & Gazette Santa Fund in 2008 gave more than toys. They gave self-esteem to thousands of needy children who might feel undervalued. Long after the holiday season is past, children can pull out their toys and books and remember that someone cared about their happiness, someone believed they were special and deserving of a gift, even in these tough economic times.

A major recession left 7,544 children in 3,064 families in need of help from the 2008 T&G Santa. That is 984 more children in 908 more families than the 6,560 children in 2,156 families who received toys and books in 2007.

While the number of children in need skyrocketed, the number of donations was down from 2,539 totaling $181,706 in 2007 to 2,292 donations totaling $165,932 in 2008, a decrease of $15,774 and 247 donations.

Contributions came from children, parents, grandparents, veterans, American Indians, small businesses, large corporations, church groups, social clubs and others.

As he has for 20 years, Auburn pediatrician Dr. Richard A. Bream contributed in honor of his patients and staff. Charlton teacher Tina M. O'Donnell based her donation on the number of books

her students read, and Hudson teacher Elizabeth Grattan-Richardson's students learned to count coins while collecting them for donation.

Amy J. Thornton of North Grafton dedicated her gift to all "military kids." Albert W. Drexler of Spencer gave in honor of those in the military. And Millbury resident Steven Russell Bott, one of the largest individual donors to the T&G Santa, gave in honor of family, friends, prisoners of war and service personnel who are missing in action.

Mark J. Aaronson of Shrewsbury and Barbara A. Smith of Westboro each donated in memory of their beloved grandsons, Gerald I. Singer of Westboro gave in memory of his wife, and the Rev. Richard M. Anger of Auburn donated in honor of the original Christmas child.

Worcester-based Hanover Insurance Group Inc., the T&G Santa's largest corporate donor, made its annual contribution in honor of all employees, and the Banner Bar & Grill in Worcester donated in memory of William J. "Irish Billy" Collins.

In addition to thanking all donors, the T&G Santa Fund wishes to thank those who processed the applications and delivered toys to families, especially The Salvation Army and Commerce Bank, which handled most of the financial transactions.

The 2008 Telegram & Gazette Santa participants are: Capts. Steven and Valerie Lopes and Christopher Hilliard, The Salvation Army Citadel, Worcester; Capts. Brian and Kelli Peabody, The Salvation Army, Fitchburg; Capts. Susanne M. and William J. Geracia, The Salvation Army, Milford; Lisa A. Ginest, Catholic Charities, Southbridge; Timothy Connor, The Devereux Center, Rutland; Susan Thorpe, Devereux Therapeutic Foster Care, Holden; Julie Meehan, Gardner Community Action Committee; Diane Deerheart Raymond, Nipmuck Indian Council of Chaubunagungamaugg, Dudley; Kerry Flathers, Perkins School, Lancaster; Ellen Novia, RFK Children's Action Corps, Lancaster; Enoelia Munoz, Spanish American Center, Leominster; Paula J. Stidsen, St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Patrick's Church, Rutland; Eleanor Mahoney, WHEAT Community Services, Clinton; Ruth E. Dube, Winchendon Community Action Council; Carmen D. Vazquez, Centro Las Americas, Worcester; Dianne Nieber, Tracy Sullivan, Klara Svirskaya, Ramona Gallant and Christine Hazen, Commerce Bank, Worcester; and T&G staff members: Mary C. Dwinell, Community Marketing Department; Denise Anderson, Ad Graphics...