'Santa's still coming': Mat-Su Special Santa starts early so every Valley kid has a Merry Christmas

WASILLA— Santa Claus is still coming to town.

Mat-Su Special Santa staff and volunteers are getting creative this year to work around the ever changing circumstances caused by COVID-19. Volunteer elves from across the Valley gathered two weeks earlier than usual to ensure they have enough time to provide presents to upwards of 4,000 kids this year.

“Santa’s still coming, no matter the pandemic. Christmas is never cancelled. We’re still here no matter what. We’ll gather up the sleigh and we’ll hand deliver each one if we have to,” Mat-Su Special Santa program director, or “Chief Elf Organizer” Katrina Holder said with a laugh.

According to Holder, starting early will give the elves more time to accept applications, prepare gifts in Santa’s workshop, and come up with solutions to accommodate those staying at home and those affected by the virus. She said they just hit their 1,000 mark for registrations.

“We really don’t know what to expect, so I think opening early was a good move,” Holder said.

Mat-Su Special Santa is accepting applications through the mail and over the phone this year. Holder said they may be able to offer a delivery option for gifts, but they’re still working out the details. She said that any family that’s been affected by the pandemic is eligible to apply for free gifts for their children.

“We know a lot of families were affected in the beginning of the year. It’s hard to recover from that too,” Holder said.

According to Holder, they normally base eligibility off income, but the ongoing situation has affected countless families, many who’ve never asked for assistance before.

“It’s hard to put people in those categories right now,” Holder said.

Currently, about 15 to 20 elves rotate through the workshop, sorting through action figures, dolls, books, science kits, basketballs and other staples of childhood, then matching them to wish lists.

It’s more than just toys that come through Mat-Su Special Santa’s workshop. Each year, staff and volunteers and their community partners ensure essential items like winter gear, toiletries, books and bedding items make it to each child in need.

Collecting donations for Special Santa is a holiday tradition for numerous groups and businesses across the community, including Denali Harley Davidson and the Biker Elves. The Biker Elves are in the middle of their annual toy drive for the program, collecting donations through Dec. 31.

“The Biker Elves really stepped up this year for us too,” Holder said.

According to Holder, the workshop would normally have a lot more people in it, but they established limits to accommodate proper social distancing. She said that local groups like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts show up each year to help them sort through items.

“That is totally cut out,” Holder said.

This is Holder’s third year running the Special Santa program. She said the current space inside the vacant Arctic Cat building is bigger than they’re used to.

Head Elf, Vicki Mckenney said the building is an ideal place for their cause, wishing it was their permanent work space. She said their diverse group of volunteers are having fun gearing up for the special holiday.

“It definitely brings in that Christmas cheer and Christmas spirit,” Mckenney said. “I love it. It just touches my heart, just helping kids right here in the Valley.”

Holder said they received a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation to secure this year’s location.

“We love them. They definitely are a big part of this program,” Holder said.

According to Holder, there’s been an outpouring of support from the community despite the financial strains caused by the virus.

“It’s more than I’ve ever seen actually… Lots of people want to help,” Holder said.

Holder encourages any household who may require assistance this Christmas to fill out an application. She said they served 3,434 kids last year and they anticipate even more this year.

“Any family that is gonna be struggling this year, please apply… We really want to help everybody,” Holder said. “No kiddo should not have a present under that tree during Christmas.”

Applications can be picked up and turned into the Mat-Su Special Santa workshop located at 2399 East Old Matanuska Road in downtown Wasilla, near the bingo hall. Visitors can stop by anytime between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The last day for applications is Dec. 22.

For more information, call 907-761-3770 or visit specialsanta.net.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com

BREAK OUT:

Other locations that accept applications:

The Child Care Assistance office located at 899 Commercial Drive, Wasilla

Alaska Family Services located at 1825 S. Chugach Street, Palmer

Other ways to turn in an application:

Print forms from Mat-Su Special Santa’s website and mail to P.O Box 1664 Palmer

Connect Mat-Su is taking applications over the phone at 907-373-2628.