This years Friends of Santa give away was full of miracles. We had 50 families, 153 children that were helped this year. For the first time as the families were contacted by Sonna she kept hearing that the toys were appreciated but many of the families needed clothes and food. So for the first time Friends of Santa had a food and lightly used clothes drive. Fawn Newsom of RE/MAX held our first food drive which brought in enough food for each families to receive 2 bags of food apiece. The unit 7 network of Friends of Santa brought bags and boxes of clothes, shoes and coats which were in abundance for each family to choose from.
For the 3rd year in a row through the generosity of the Masonic lodge of Tolono they opened there building to Friends of Santa so that the parents and guardians of the children could stop by to pick up the gifts for thier families. The Masonic Lodge of Tolono is no stranger to Friends of Santa for the past 9 years they have donated the profits of there Sunday morning breakfast which was held in October to us. This single event averages over $2200 each year.
This years miracle which I watched unfold started when a married mom of three children which works 2 jobs came in to pick up her children's gifts. As she entered she was brought into the large room full of tables that had stacked piles of clothes, shoes, food and (miscellaneous toys which were donated by the Tolono Casey's). She filled 3 bags full of clothes for her children and then proceeded to to get ready to leave. Sonna said wait a minute we have toys for your children we went and got 2 sacks of gifts then we brought out a Turkey dinner and all the trimmings which were donated by my mom Tiana Cain. As the mom looked at the pile of gifts food and clothes she was overwhelmed and said " is this really all mine, I get this for my family " we said yes. So we helped her out to her car with her gifts and she then came back in to Thank everyone. As she walked back to her car she got half way there when she stopped and hung her head down and just started to cry. After a few minutes she was able to walk to her car, she opened the door and as soon as she sat in the drivers seat her forehead laid down on the steering wheel and began to cry for about 5 minutes. But after she was done crying she did as any woman would she pulled down her mirror of her visor fixed her make up and drove off.
When the day was over because of the generousity of many we had a third of my moving truck full of left over clothes and gifts which the next day were taken to Salt and Light so that others in need could benifit. Thank you to everyone who donated there time, clothes and money.
Merry Christmas and may you have a Blessed New Year!
Tom and Sonna Cain