In praise of homegrown holiday giving

It’s hard to imagine how much love it takes to provide gifts for more than 3,500 girls and boys in the Mat-Su Valley every year, or, food for a feast for 4,000 people.

But that’s what the Valley has done every year for decades.

The Mat-Su Special Santa Workshop, 831 S. Chugach St., in the old Palmer senior center building bustles with volunteers filling wish lists, answering questions and directing volunteers. Around them sits a sea of toys, books, coats, sled, bikes, balls, hats, gloves — the real life manifestations of our community’s love.

Some of theses gifts were donated by patrons at local businesses, some were given by school kids, some purchased through cash gifted by local foundations, businesses or individuals. One anonymous donor helps sustain the program with a $3,000 gift every year.

This is one of a trio of homegrown holiday giving programs that are the pride of the Valley this time of year: Santa Cop and Heroes; Christmas Friendship Dinner; and Special Santa. Santa Cop serves seniors year-round and especially at Christmas. Christmas Friendship dinner is an annual community feast and Christmas celebration at the Curtis C. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla that feeds everyone who shows up and sends meals to seniors who sign up for home delivery through Meals On Wheels. And Special Santa connects toys given by the community with kids who might not receive Christmas gifts otherwise.

All three non-profits are sustained by local donations and dedicated volunteers.

We are impressed by how deeply the ripples of love from these three groups stretch into our community each year. The list of volunteers and donors to these programs includes businesses, school groups, civic groups, churches, individuals, families, kids and adults.

At Country Financial, Beth Libbey said she set up an Angel Tree and collected gifts for 100 Valley kids through donations from her customers and friends.

“It’s been our Christmas miracle in this office,” she said.

It’s the first year the business has hosted a tree for the toy drive program, but Libbey said, based on its success, it won’t be the last.

“Maybe we’ll do 150 names next year,” she said.

We write about these three groups — and produce some version of this editorial — every year because we think these non-profits are the heart of our local celebration of the Christmas season.

Giving to others is part of how we celebrate here each year. And it’s a proud tradition we are teaching our children to share. Whether you have a lot or a little, sharing feels good and it’s the right thing to do.

Donations are being accepted for all three programs. And volunteers are still needed to help with the Christmas Friendship Dinner.

Thank you to everyone who has helped support these nonprofits year to year and taught their children to do the same.

Merry Christmas to all!