Santee Santas 2012 Holiday Donation Drop Off Locations

See photos and read about last year's delivery: Santee Santas Deliver Holiday Cheer to 251 Local Families

From Barnes and Noble to Union Bank, more than 40 Santee businesses are hosting donation drop boxes for Santee Santas annual holiday collection of unwrapped toys and non-perishable food.

The list of this year's participating storefronts can be found above, or downloaded here.

A huge event supporting local holiday cheer is the Waddle and Trot 5K happening Thanksgiving morning, starting at Pathways Church, all proceeds go to Santee Santas and Santee Food Bank.

If your family meets the State of California Free and Reduced Price Lunch income levels and you reside within the Santee School District boundaries, you may be eligible to recieve support from Santee Santas this holiday season. 

Applications will be accepted on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Rio Seco School, 9545 Cuyamaca St.; Thursday, November 29, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rio Seco; and again on Saturday December 1, 2012 from 10 a.m. to noon at Santee City Hall, 10601 N. Magnolia, Bldg. 8. Click here to download an application form.

The Sante Santas website describes the charity organization that has been operating in town for 58 years:

"Santee Santas' signature effort is an annual holiday children's toy and food program focused on bringing the Christmas spirit to some 300 families in our community. Our senior outreach program ensures seniors in our community who are living alone or in senior care facilities are not forgotten over the holidays. We provide emergency funds to families in need at any time of the year.

Santee Santas is an all-volunteer organization, with school district employees, City of Santee staff, firefighters, local businesses, service organizations, mobile home parks and local citizens working together to make each year's endeavors successful. There are minimal administrative costs; all donations are tax deductible and all donations are used to assist families and seniors in need of help."