DTGB's Annual "Letters to Santa" 2012

DTGB Presents "Letters to Santa" with The Fairview Library 2012

​ What a special treat it was and an honor to participate in Story Time at our local library. We were asked to read any book of our choice and think of a project that we could do with the kids. Fortunately, we knew exactly what direction we were going in and how we were going to incorporate the kids into one of our challenges for the “DTGB’s 25 Day of Giving Back”. As announced earlier in the month, Macy*s paired up with the Make-A-Wish foundation and agreed to donate $1.00 for every letter delivered to Santa in the Macy*s mailbox. Easy enough to write a letter to Santa, but getting the kids involved is where the magic begins. I set out to find the famous book that has become incredibly popular and sponsored by Macy*s explaining how a little girl was told Santa does not exist and how her faith helped a whole city believe. “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” written by a young child and sent into the New York Sun newspaper actually headlined on September 21, 1897 stating “Is there a Santa Claus?” Fast forward to 2008 Macy*s partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and launched their first Believe campaign. In 2009, CBS animated the tale of the young child on her quest for the truth behind Santa and debuted on December 11, 2009 reaching more than 3.7 million television viewers. The truth behind this is the innocence of a child and her curiosity & how she has affected countless people. She believed in herself and followed her heart. Reading the story of Virginia to these children was much greater than any other story because of what she stood for. These children that attended the story time were eager to hear her story. They participated and asked questions, they ooo’ed and aaa’ed as I turned the pages. They might not understand now the impact Virginia has over the past century but they too were influenced by her words to that infamous editor. After reading the book, they participated in another great accomplishment; they poured childhood and innocence onto paper to help other kids. Writing letters to Santa for some kids is just requesting toys and luxuries but these kids were helping raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation…how amazing. These first graders were eager to ask for dinosaurs and princess dolls but the underlining message was these letters had a cash value even bigger than the items requested. I proudly took all the letters collected to Macy*s in Paramus, NJ and delivered every single one with Devin & Tristan. We together helped contribute 40 letters to Santa that day. After they wrote their letters, we did an art project coloring Santa and handed out goodies for all the kids. This afternoon as a mom meant even more since Devin & Tristan participated in the event. I enjoyed meeting all the boys & girls at the library; they were incredibly cooperative and respectful. These children all knew their letters and wrote awesome letters to Santa. I enjoyed myself and I know Patricia Bonomo & Aura Ruiz who helped enjoyed the laughter that filled the room that afternoon!!

Great job to the kids and their parents!! Thank You for the most memorable challenge of Giving Back!! Also, a HUGE Thank You to the Fairview Library, Ms. Mary & the staff for allowing us to participate in such a rewarding afternoon!