By J.D. O’Gara

2021 will be The Santa Foundation’s 36th year. 

“Covid-19 has definitely impacted day-to-day operations, but we’ve developed a contact free environment that keeps everyone safe and functioning as best as possible. Jan Prentice & Lia Thomas are the backbone of The Santa Foundation’s workshop. We helped over 600 families last year and are on a pace to exceed that in 2021” says Richard “Dick” Timmons, who continues the Robert Sullivan’s legacy with his wife Cindy and a handful of volunteers.

December is obviously the busiest one for The Santa Foundation, which this year anticipates handing out gifts to about approximately 5,000 people - over 700 families, says Timmons. The Santa Foundation works with local food pantries, The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and local housing authorities. “We are supported by many local business and families who make donations and adopt families in need,” says Timmons. “Many of the businesses are listed on our website.”

Two excellent young recruits, Patrick Timmons and Karina Thomas, help inform the community through the Santa Foundation website and  social media, says Timmons. “We’re continuing to limit staffing in the workshop,” says Patrick Timmons, Dick’s son. “We are still practicing contactless pickup and other precautions to keep our volunteers and families getting gifts safe. It does not slow us down or impede our impact.”

“A lot of volunteer families are still traditionally adopting and buying (gifts) for a needy family and dropping it off to us to deliver,” says Cindy Timmons. Another option to support The Santa Foundation is to purchase from its Amazon Wish List, which folks can find at https://www.sfjoy.org/donate-to-sf . Gifts purchased there ship directly to the organization at 1 Joy St, Franklin. 

The Santa Foundation, in cooperation with local sponsors, has a number of “giving trees” in various locations. Folks may take a tag that lists a gift wish from a family member in need from one of these trees, purchase the gift, and return it to the tree location. This year, giving trees are located at:

• Postal Center, 279 E Central Street, Franklin

• Postal Center, 9 Medway Rd., Ste. C, Milford

• Postal Center, 14 Milliston Rd., Millis

• King Street Cafe, 390 King St., Franklin

• Norfolk Credit Union, 194 Main St., Norfolk

• Middlesex Bank, 1000 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin

• James Roadside Café, 850 Franklin St., Wrentham

• Franklin Police Department, 911 Panther Way, Franklin

• Medway Police Department, 315 Village St., Franklin 

• Norfolk Fire Department, 117 Main St, Norfolk

The Covid shutdown canceled many of the SF fundraiser events like its annual golf tournament, as well as Breakfast with Santa. Despite the cancellation, however, many of the sponsors chose to donate anyway, which has helped sustain operations. (For a complete list of sponsors, visit The Santa Foundation’s website.) In 2021, The Santa Foundation was able to host a safe, outdoor charity event at La Cantina Winery. This event generated over $15,000, which will go a long way towards helping local families.

In addition, sales of The Santa Foundation’s annual fundraising calendar, also available online this year, have been robust. “We sold over 50% online,” says Pat. “We created a very easy form for people to fill out if they wanted more than one, and that worked very well. (This was) shared across the Franklin town website, and remote teams at work. (This sale) was a big driver for raising funds this year.”

Since it began, the Santa Foundation has delivered gifts to over 109,200 people. What began in Franklin 36 years ago has expanded to include needy families in Medway, Norfolk, and families in many of the surrounding towns.

In addition to gifts during the holiday season, The Santa Foundation also uses financial donations “to help people with heat, rent and utilities throughout the year,” says Dick Timmons, “especially as we get to the colder months, and with senior citizens on fixed income and the current unemployment situation.” The easiest way to provide a financial donation is through The Santa Foundation’s website, sfjoy.org.

Gift cards to stores such as Walmart, Target, Stop & Shop and Big Y also always come in handy, says Timmons. “We’re also experiencing a great need for Pampers, diapers, and children’s clothes for boys and girls under 5, and we’re seeing people need coats and hats and gloves. Some years, kids want toys, but I think people are getting down to basic needs; they want gift cards for food and clothing more than prior years.”

Donations made on another person’s behalf, in their name, may also be a perfect gift this holiday season, says Timmons. 

“I am always amazed at how the season brings out the generosity in everyone, from children that donate their presents to senior citizens that make quilts, mittens and hats for children in need. It is heart warming to be part of such a wonderful community that epitomizes that giving is better than receiving”

To reach the Santa Foundation, located at 1 Joy Street in Franklin, visit www.sfjoy.org, or find them on Facebook. You can also call (508) 528-1767 or email [email protected].