LOWELL — COVID-19 may have changed a whole lot this year, but one thing that remains constant is the assistance the Sun Santa Fund provides to families in need in the holiday season.
That need has grown this year in the face of the economic uncertainty brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. As the Sun Santa Fund kicks off its 32nd year of helping families around Greater Lowell with food, toys and outfits at Christmastime, it needs more support than ever from the local community to meet that need.
“Many Sun Santa families are frontline workers who’ve been impacted the most by COVID, so the need is greater than ever,” said Sun Santa Coordinator Nancy Roberts. “The Greater Lowell community is legendary for its generosity. We’re calling on that generous spirit to help families in need who would otherwise go without over the holidays. Every donation, every dollar matters.”
Despite the challenges, she said she doesn’t doubt for a second that the community will rally like it always does.
“This year won’t stop us from moving forward,” Lowell Sun Charities President Terry McCarthy said. “We have great folks in the Greater Lowell area that really support the Sun Santa this time of year because they know it’s a great cause and it really helps families in need.”
This year may look a bit different — but the same holiday and community spirit drives the efforts.
Former state Sen. Steve Panagiotakos may not be able to hold his annual fundraising party at the Blue Shamrock like he’s done for the past 24 years, but owner Nick Petrakos will join Panagiotakos outside the former Franco American School for a masked and socially distanced “Sip ’n Sleigh” event early next month.
“Stop off and have a coffee or hot chocolate with us if you can, or if you just want to drive by and drop off a check or a gift, we’ll be out there to accept them,” Panagiotakos said.
He said he’s always grateful to those who contribute, and in this challenging year, he will be even more grateful to those who help to make others’ Christmases a little brighter.
“This is a year where we all need to really try to help more than usual those who are in need, and the Sun Santa is a great way of doing that,” Panagiotakos said.
Lowell General Hospital will still do its annual basket raffle but remotely, and Enterprise Bank employees are still finding creative ways to raise money to help Sun Santa, Roberts said.
City Councilor Sokhary Chau will be involved with Sun Santa for the first time this year, with the goal of sparking greater interest and participating from the local Asian community.
Like many Cambodian refugees who came to the city, when Chau arrived in Lowell over two decades ago he said he was welcomed by the generosity of local residents and organizations, especially through the gifts of toys and clothes at the holidays. Though he and others don’t know for certain where the help came from, Sun Santa was likely among the contributors, and Chau wants to give back and inspire others to do the same.
He said he will assemble a committee of other Asian community leaders to come up with fundraising ideas to help support local families in this challenging time.
“I can’t think of a year where this charity is more needed than before,” Chau said.
“We will do everything we can do to make sure the families of Greater Lowell have a great holiday season,” McCarthy said.
Roberts and McCarthy said they’re grateful to all of the community partners that have a hand in the Sun Santa’s annual success.
The Sun Santa Fund was founded in 1988 after Lowell Sun Charities found many local families in the Greater Lowell region were struggling, especially during the holidays. Since then, Sun Santa has provided support for thousands of families in need in the 23 communities served by The Sun so they can provide Christmas gifts for their children and put a holiday meal on their table. Every family who requests help from The Sun Santa Fund receives it.
The Salvation Army and Community Teamwork Inc. process applications — remotely this year — and distribute toy and food vouchers to the families. Toy vouchers can be redeemed at Rogers Toy in downtown Lowell and Walmart in Tewksbury. Food vouchers are accepted at all Market Basket stores.
Through the generosity of the local community, The Sun Santa Fund raises the funds to directly support this voucher system that provides families the means to experience a joyful holiday. Thanks to major fundraising partner, Lowell General Hospital, along with local banks and businesses, public officials, schoolchildren and individual donors, Sun Santa has always met its goal.
Many donations come from individuals who donate $5 to $25, and no donation is too small. All contributions are listed in The Sun’s print and online publications. Groups donating $500 may submit a digital photo that will be printed in the newspaper on a space-available basis. Donation photos from area schools for a contribution of any amount will be printed in the newspaper as space is available. All photos submitted from area businesses and schools will be posted on The Sun Santa Fund Facebook page.
Secure online donations can be made at https://ift.tt/38GwhXW, or by mail to The Sun Santa Fund, 491 Dutton St., Lowell, MA 01854. Brief messages are welcome.
Mark your calendar for the following events to benefit The Sun Santa Fund:
- Nov. 27-Dec. 9: The Lowell General Hospital Theme Basket Raffle is the largest single fund-raiser for Sun Santa each year. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the raffle will be held online only and starts on Black Friday, Nov. 27 and runs through Tuesday, Dec. 8. To keep everyone safe, this year’s drawing will not open to the public. Winners will be drawn on Dec. 9, when winners will be notified. Visit https://ift.tt/3nkV33K.
- Thursday, Dec. 3, from 5:30-9 p.m., Evviva Trattoria, Cornerstone Square, Westford: Dining For A Cause will feature gift basket raffles and a portion of dining proceeds will be donated to The Sun Santa Fund. Baskets will be on display and raffle tickets available for purchase at the venue starting Monday, Nov. 23. Raffle winners will be drawn at 8 p.m. on Dec. 3. Early basket viewing and raffle ticket purchase available at https://ift.tt/3lyNkP9.
- Friday, Dec. 4, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Former state Sen. Steve Panagiotakos hosts his annual Sun Santa fundraising event. This year, the theme is ‘Sip ’n Sleigh’ and due to COVID-19 concerns will be held outdoors at the Franco American & Grotto, 357 Pawtucket St., Lowell. Stop by for a cup of hot chocolate or a coffee. Bring an unwrapped toy for the It’s All About the Kids Foundation and/or a check made out to The Sun Santa Fund.
Stay tuned for more updates about how to contribute to the Sun Santa and get involved in the holiday cheer.
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November 15, 2020 at 06:41AM
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Sun Santa kicks off 32nd year helping families in need at the holidays - Lowell Sun
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