Holiday charity helps 1,717 kids see Special Santas

December 31, 2006

By Russell Stigall/Frontiersman

PALMER - Sometimes Santa doesn't shimmy down a chimney. Sometimes Santa, especially Mary Jo Parks' Special Santas, arrive in much more magical ways.

Special Santas are individuals, groups, schools, churches and businesses. They volunteer their time and resources to help realize the Christmas wishes of Mat-Su's needy children.

Mary Jo Parks has been coordinating the program, with the help with of her volunteer &#8220elves,” for the last 10 years. She started the program in 1997 with 90 children.

This Christmas, Special Santas helped 1,717 kids, down a little from last year, but Parks believes it was for good reasons. Other agencies were helping families this season and the economy was a little better, she said. Some families she'd helped in previous years told her, &#8220I don't have to use you this year, I'm going to buy gifts myself.”

Though the number of needy was down this year, volunteer numbers saw no decline.

At least 120 groups and individuals sponsored children or families, Parks said. One school alone sponsored 20 children. And Point MacKenzie Correctional Farm donated enough money to sponsor another 20 children. Pt. Mac Correctional Farm has been a Special Santa for nine of the 10 years the program has existed, Parks said.

Special Santas can donate money or gifts.

Some Special Santas knitted scarves and hats. Others donated bikes. One Santa donated two dozen CD players. At a recent hockey event, all who attended donated gifts.

&#8220It was funny because they were almost all boy toys,” Parks said.

Parks finds her Santas any way she can.

Parks gives presentations in schools, charities and civic organizations, and a number of churches get the word out. Local chapters of Rotary Club International have also been very generous, she said. Sometimes potential Santas seek her out.

Parks' program helps children in need, newborn to age 18. Schools and social services match children with Special Santas. Santas are asked to spend $50 to $100 on their child. Also welcome are those who prefer to give specific gifts or donate money to buy gifts for unsponsored children.

Wish lists are filled with more than just toys. Parks tells about a 12-year-old boy who asked for deodorant.

&#8220It is that very basic,” she said.

Coats and winter gear are other needed items.

Special Santas have a huge effect on the lives of the families they help. Parks said the mother of one family, when she saw what they were given, said, &#8220You have no idea what a terrible year I've had. It is amazing that someone would do so much for us.”

Along with gifts and monetary donations, some organizations help with the day-to-day particulars of running the Special Santa program.

&#8220Wal-Mart has taken us under its wing and has given to us substantially,” Parks said. In addition to its $1,000 gift, Wal-Mart matched its employees' donations to Special Santa.

Every Christmas, John Nolin with Secure Storage in Palmer donates a garage-sized storage unit to house all the gifts. Nolin has been with the program from its inception. It is a testament to the program that the people who helped start Special Santa are with the program still, Parks said.

Matanuska Telephone Association provides phone service for Special Santa and is a sponsor of events.

The Special Santa program takes shape weeks before the holidays.

&#8220Fund raising begins at Halloween, and by New Year's we are ready to reintroduce ourselves to our families,” Parks said.

The rest of the year people can donate to the nonprofit Alaska Family Services, of which Special Santa is a part. The Special Santa program also works in conjunction with Toy for Tots.

For more information, visit www.specialsanta.org, call 745 5361, or e-mail elves@specialsanta.org.

Contact Russell Stigall at 352-2267 or russell.stigall@frontiersman.com