By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
On Tuesday, Santa got a letter from two young Bowling Green students. The hand-written wish list asked for the jolly old elf to bring them clothes, shoes, a sketch book, baby doll and a bike.
“Every day there are more requests coming in,” said Kenwood teacher Kisha Nichols, who is coordinating the “Dear Santa Society” this year with fellow Kenwood teacher Jennifer Ostrowski.
Last year the annual program, operated through Bowling Green City Schools, provided presents and food to 49 families in the school district, with a total of 132 children.
“When you read the letters, you realize that it takes a lot for people to ask for help,” Ostrowski said. “There is pressure to help as many families as we can.”
The Dear Santa volunteers start early on their elf duties.
“The goal is to get some of our shoppers going by Black Friday,” Nichols said.
But the program is still looking for more donations and more children in need.
“We still need more money. We still need more families,” Nichols said.
In addition to presents for the children, the Dear Santa Society also gives each family a ham. The Brown Bag Project is again supplying other foods to be delivered to the families.
“It’s a nice partnership,” Nichols said.
The shopping begins in earnest after Thanksgiving, primarily by teachers and other school staff, and some local churches. Then a mass wrapping event is held. Then Santa’s elves – who look suspiciously like school employees – deliver them to the homes.
The parents are notified ahead of time, in case they don’t want their children to see the elves in action.
“It’s rewarding. It can also be eye opening to some of our staff,” especially when homeless families are “doubling up” with other families, Nichols said. “It can be eye opening if you yourself have never struggled.”
“We just want families to know if they need help to reach out to us,” Ostrowski said.
The Dear Santa Society was started 15 years ago in Bowling Green by Jim and Dee Szalejko. The couple have moved from the area, putting Nichols and Ostrowski in charge.
The goal is to purchase two or three new outfits for each child, along with toys. For a family with two children, the hope is to raise $560. Oftentimes teachers sign up and purchase the more expensive gifts – like a bike – on their own.
“We don’t want those big ticket items to come out of the children’s budgets,” Nichols said.
In addition to the food, the adults are also given a variety of hygiene products.
“The families are always very grateful and gracious,” Ostrowski said.
In addition to bringing a brighter holiday, the Dear Santa Society gives students new clothes to wear when school resumes. “They can talk about having new toys,” Ostrowski said.
Teachers hold various fundraisers at school or in the community to raise money for the program.
“I think our staff sees the need – it would be difficult to not give,” Nichols said.
But being in charge of the Dear Santa Society this year has put an extra burden on Nichols and Ostrowski to meet the needs of families.
“I’m worried about it this year,” Nichols said.
Donations to the Dear Santa program may be sent through Venmo to Dear-Santa, or through PayPal to donate@dearsantasociety.org. Donors should note that the contributions are for the BG Chapter. Families seeking assistance may contact the program at The Dear Santa Society, P.O. Box 513, Bowling Green, Ohio, 43402, or email to dearsantabg@gmail.com.
