Secret Santas … Making dreams come true

Story and photos by Casey Ressler-Frontiersman Valley Life editor

In the classic 1947 movie "A Miracle on 34th Street," it took a courtroom to prove that Santa Claus was real. In the modern-day Mat-Su Valley, it only takes a visit to Arctic Structures.That's where the Special Santa program is being based for one last weekend, and thanks to the program, more than 1,000 Valley children will have presents under the tree on Christmas, when they otherwise would not.

"The looks on the parents' faces makes it worth it to me, knowing how we helped them have a good Christmas," said coordinator Mari Jo Parks in early November, when the program was gearing up for a holiday push. "It's a great feeling knowing how many children will have a good Christmas because of the generosity of the community."

Just how many children will benefit for the program was sort of a shock to Parks. This year, the program joined forces with the successful Toys for Tots, which is coordinated by the Marine Corps. Other community organizations have joined together as well, to ensure families who need the extra help this holiday season get it at one location.

"We're trying to give the most out to people without doubling up, so that we know everybody who needs things gets them," Parks said. "It has worked out so well."

Through the Special Santa program, families or groups pick up a Christmas list from a Valley child. They shop for that child based on the list, and drop the presents off at Arctic Structures on Commercial Drive in Palmer.

Because not every child gets bought for, the remaining children have their lists filled with toys donated to the Toys for Tots program, as well as toys bought through both programs. At the warehouse facility, there are stacks of toys, games and clothes, all labeled and grouped by ages.

Those items are then used to help fill the Special Santa Christmas lists.

This year, thanks to the shared resources, more than 1,200 children will receive presents.

Last year, that number was around 650.

At the warehouse, volunteers ranging from school groups to individuals just stopping in have been busy preparing all of the packages. The children's packages are ready for parents to pick up today and tomorrow, from 9 am. to 6 p.m.

Volunteers are also needed to help get the packages distributed this weekend, which is the busiest time for the program.

"It's amazing. We've got people dropping off toys constantly, and we are filling those packages as fast as we can," Parks said.

Earlier this week, three school groups, totaling about 130 students, showed up to help organize boxes so their peers can have a great Christmas.

"It's nice to see people are buying toys for the kids who need them," said 14-year-old Rebecca Childers.

Her sister, 15-year-old Rachel Childers, was also volunteering her time.

"We basically go through the lists and then pick out the toys that go with each list," Rachel Childers said.

Parks said she can use as many toys and volunteers as possible this weekend, as the program tries to get every child taken care of before Christmas Eve.

For more information on how to help the Special Santa program this weekend, interested people may call Parks on her cell phone at 232-6951.