Secret Santa makes wishes come true
Rathdrum’s Secret Santa program is looking to make wishes come true for those in need during this holiday season.
“We are asking for people with needs to share them with us so we can help give them a better Christmas,” said one of the Secret Santas.
Understanding it may be hard for some to share their needs, the Santas are accepting letters of need from anyone. “It doesn’t matter to us whether the letters are from friends, family members, or themselves,” said our Santa. “If we get them, we’ll see what we can do.”
While the program isn’t set up for kids whose parents can’t get them the latest Nintendo game, it is set up for those whose needs are real.
“It’s about clothes, coats, blankets, and even firewood and oil heat,” said Santa.
“Most who write are truly in need,” he said. He remembered one young single mother with two small children who could not use her car during the winter months because her heater was broken. The Secret Santas found a local mechanic who replaced the automobile’s heater core, helping to make her holidays a little brighter.
Our Santa said his small group has been amazed through the years by how many children write in, requesting help for their parents – rather than for themselves.
“Lots of kids write in, but they don’t ask for a Nintendo or something for themselves, but ask for basic stuff – maybe blankets, or a plug-in heater – for their parents.” He said the kids write about how hard their parents work and how little they ask for themselves.
The Santas, a group of generous Rathdrum area business people, began the project a few years ago, in an attempt to meet the needs of some who get forgotten during the holiday season. They decided to “just get the word out to see what was needed,” and then do their best to see those needs were met. They received 11 letters that first year; and more each year since.
If you would like to make a request to Rathdrum’s Secret Santa, please write a letter explaining your need, or your request for someone you know who could use some help during the Christmas season, and send it to: Secret Santa, P.O. Box 415, Rathdrum, ID 83858. The request should include contact information, preferably a telephone number. Volunteers will be delivering the gifts on Dec. 22 and 23.
Santa’s on the line tonight
Hey all you kids out there. Santa is waiting to hear from you. The Rathdrum Parks and Recreation Department set up a direct line to the North Pole for tonight only. Just call 687-2399 or 654-2700 from 6 to 8 p.m. and you’ll get to speak to Santa Claus himself.
If lines are busy, Mrs. Santa or one of the elves may take a line. Santa is busy making up his list, so give him a call and let him know what you want for Christmas.
Hauser breakfast with Santa
If you would like to share breakfast with Santa, stop by the Hauser Lake Volunteer Fire Department on Sunday. Proceeds from the 23rd Annual Shalena’s Breakfast with Santa will benefit Krista, a local 17-year old with Ewing’s Sarcoma.
Last year members of the Hauser Lake Volunteer Department served more than 1,400 people. The All-U-Can-Eat breakfast includes sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, waffles, orange juice and coffee. Suggested donation is $3 per person and $10 per family.
Shalena’s Breakfast with Santa will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hauser Lake Fire Department building, 10728 N. Hauser Lake Road.