Santa needs your help in Batavia
My memories of Christmas are filled with circling toys out of the Sears catalog. Then I would make my Christmas list and let Santa know exactly where he could get what I wanted, identifying the toy, not only by name but also by page in the catalog.
Christmas morning was filled with anticipation and excitement in hopes that Santa had found the items on my list. Even though my mom was a single mom, something rare in the 1950s, Christmas was always special and there was always a new doll or toy under the tree.
Some kids never have the joy of getting a new toy. They never have the memory of opening a toy on Christmas morning and exclaiming, "It's just what I wanted." They never get to spend the day playing a special board game or dressing and cuddling a baby doll.
Times are tough right now in a world filled with layoffs and foreclosures. In Batavia, many parents are worrying about how to put food on the table, pay the bills and still try to have a nice Christmas for their kids. Luckily, there are people in our community who care about the children and about the parents, who live with the pain of not being able to provide Christmas presents for their children.
"Many of these parents have experienced a temporary setback," Ruth Johnsen said. "They are astonished that they can get help when they are so desperate."
Johnsen has been working tirelessly on the toy drive for years along with Mildred Bailey. They organize the sale and purchase items from donations.
They rely on the generosity of Batavians to donate new or gently used toys or cash donations. They also accept hats and mittens.
Parents of children who qualify are invited by letter to come to the toy store. Volunteers assist in helping the parents choose age appropriate gifts.
Through Batavia's ACCESS committee, the parents can visit the ACCESS toy store and choose presents for their children.
"Last year we had 300 names," said Johnsen. "This year we have 430."
Can you afford to add one more toy to your Christmas list? If you can, don't forget about those older kids. Teenagers enjoy gifts just as much as little ones.
Either way you'll be doing a good thing for kids. Toys can be dropped off at both fire stations or at the Batavia Public Library until Friday, Dec. 12. Cash donations can be left at the Batavia Police Station.
Kids don't always understand why dad loses a job or Mom gets sick. Even when times are tough, they believe that Santa will come though.
With your help, he will.