To provide a toy at Christmas for children in Luzerne County who would not otherwise have the opportunity to receive gifts from Santa.
The program was developed in 1984 through a community wide effort and it was based loosely on the program that was established in Boston through the Boston Globe called the Globe Santa. Various members of the community determined there was a need to provide toys to children at Christmas and the volunteers asked for community businesses to cooperate with the establishment of the program.
The: Citizen’s Voice, a Wilkes-Barre newspaper, prints a story regarding children in need each day from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Toys for the children are purchased through Boscov’s, a local department store which opens the doors to allow shopping every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:00 a.m. so that the volunteers can purchase the toys that can be shipped to the children. Boscov’s also gives us a substantial discount and provides a wrapping area and wrapping paper for the presents. Toys are delivered by JPI Express with whom we have partnered with for dependable deliveries throughout Luzerne County.
Our organization wants to make sure that each child in Luzerne County wakes up with a toy on Christmas morning. If you or a family you know is in need, requests are made for help by sending a letter to Valley Santa that is co-signed by a clergy member or social worker to Valley Santa PO box 5268 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703 . Please note that toys are purchased for children twelve years and younger.
The organization does not have any full time staff and the monies collected from the community are used to purchase toys and the costs of shipping. All of the services and efforts are donated by more than 300 volunteers who work on this project every year.
In 1984 there were approximately 300 children who received presents from Valley Santa. We are now serving 4000 children throughout Luzerne County.
Volunteers are used to purchase presents, wrap presents, read letters and deliver packages on Christmas Eve which are necessary to fill last minute requests when delivery through delivery Service is not possible.
Without the help of volunteers and your generosity, the program would not be successful.
