Dear Santa,

I wanted to tell you a story about a place called Manchester.  Manchester is a place where many good people live and work each day to provide for their families.  Unfortunately, some of those people struggle to keep their house and put food on the table.  For these people Christmas is just a dream for the children, or a ‘maybe next year’ wish for the parents.

But Santa, this story has a happy ending because Manchester is truly a special place.  Instead of doing without again, now some three hundred and twenty-five children and their families really will have a Christmas.  Yes, this year Santa Claus will really visit each house.  Yes, there will be presents for everyone under the tree and a hot dinner to enjoy.  So you ask, Santa, how did the joy of Christmas come to Manchester?

Perhaps it started with the first grader who donated his snack money to buy gifts.  Maybe it was our good friends from the many Senior Villages who heard of the local hardships and donated money, toys, clothing and food.  Perhaps it was some one hundred teachers who were in Target and Toys R Us stores at 7:00 a.m. shopping feverishly to grant every child’s wish.  Maybe it was hundreds of volunteers, both young and old who spent an entire Sunday wrapping literally thousands of gifts.  Perhaps it was the many parents who generously donated so that their neighbor in need could have a special day.  Maybe it was the individual who received similar help years ago, showing up with a car load of toys asking how to help others.  Perhaps, it was the many local businesses that opened their doors and encouraged customers to drop off new gifts.  Maybe it was the stranger who heard about the first grader that Santa never visited, who made sure that Santa not only came, but brought a bag full of toys.  Maybe it was a women’s club fearing that children would be cold this winter and knitted hats, scarves and mittens for everyone.  Perhaps it was the individuals who not only helped the children, but went out and shopped for parents so they too had something new this year.  Or finally, maybe it was the local police who donated so that the children they protect would have something new this year.

So you see Santa, Manchester is really special, especially at Christmas time.  It is because of each of these stories and many more that Santa really came to this special place called Manchester.  I do have one final wish.  Santa, could you somehow please thank each and every wonderful person who did so much for all of the children of Manchester?  Please thank all of our friends, and from each child, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

                                                             Kevin’s Kids