Santee Santas Prepare for High Demand this Holiday Season

As the holiday season begins to pick up steam, the Santee Santas are already in full swing of their holiday preparations to ensure that every Santee resident enjoys some holiday cheer.

Santee Santas is an all-volunteer, non-profit, organization bringing comfort and joy to Santee residents by providing food and gifts, especially during the holiday season. Each family who receives assistance is able to get a holiday meal and enough staples to last a few weeks. Each child receives toys or gift cards depending on their age, as well as books.

“With the current state of the economy, we are anticipating even greater demands this year than we saw in 2010,” says Gail Ramer, vice chairman of Santee Santas. “When you add to this fact that so many local businesses are suffering, we are hoping that those who are able, will step up and help us meet the needs of so many hurting Santee residents.”

For those who can help, donations of new, unwrapped toys and books, as well as non-perishable food items, are currently being accepted at more than 30 drop box locations throughout Santee. Cash donations are also always encouraged and can be mailed to Santee Santas Foundation, P.O. Box 710033, Santee, CA 92072-0033 or through PayPal via the Santee Santas website.

For those in need, applications will be accepted on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at at 10601 N. Magnolia, Building 8. Applications will also be accepted on Nov. 16 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Nov. 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Santee Fire Station #4 at 8950 Cottonwood Ave. Blank applications are available at all Santee school offices, the Santee Chamber of Commerce, the or by visiting www.santeesantas.org.

Santee Santas has been bringing the spirit of the holidays to the Santee community for more than 50 years. In 2010, Santee Santas assisted 203 families, including 397 children and delivered 150 flower arrangements to seniors at mobile home parks and 100 stuffed animals were given to residents at Stanford Court Nursing Home.

For more information about Santee Santas, including a complete list of toy and food drop-off locations, or to make a donation online, please visit www.santeesantas.org.