This year's Santa's Helpers include Rotary President Greg Robidoux Rick MacMillan, Laura Gingras, and Jim Guy
Grand Monadnock Rotary Club (GMRC) will again distribute gifts to children in need who live in the Monadnock Region. For 35 years, since Operation Santa started in 1986, GMRC has distributed gifts from Santa through elementary schools, non-profit agencies, and town welfare offices. The families are selected by schools and area agencies to receive gifts for their infants to older children.
Santa's Wish Lists are made by the parents for items their children want (toys) and things they need (usually clothing). The gift ideas are not random - children get what their parents identify. Fifteen area businesses set out displays with gift cards on them for employees to review and select the gift cards they wish to fulfill on behalf of Santa. These regional gift-providing corporate Elves and Rotary members then go out and shop for gifts, returning them to Rotary by November 30th for distribution back to the children. Over 220 children will receive gifts this year totaling approximately $100 for each child. In the end, gifts worth over $22,000 will be distributed to parents in time for a very Merry Holiday season in 2021.
Monetary donations to help purchase unfilled Operation Santa requests may be sent to Grand Monadnock Rotary Charitable Fund, PO Box 354, Peterborough, NH 03458-0354, or donate online - click on "Donate" in the banner above or go to https://GrandMonadnockRotary.org/Donate.
GMRC is interested in hearing from you about your interest in the community and how to be involved in the important work that Rotary does.
Submitted by Pegg Monahan, member, Grand Monadnock Rotary