Operation Santa Claus Has Hundreds Of Unsponsored Children

CONCORD, NH — Operation Santa Claus, the statewide holiday gift program for children in New Hampshire sponsored by state employees and others, is requesting assistance to help close to 500 unsponsored children in 2020.

The annual program, which coordinates with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to provide at least $70 worth of gifts for children in need, is in its 60th year. In the past, as many as 3,000 children have been assisted with more than 500,000 gifts donated during the last six decades. SEIU 1984, state employees, retirees, and others coordinate with the state and the New Hampshire National Guard to deliver the gifts to children before the holiday.

Organizers knew when they started planning in 2002 that the coronavirus pandemic would cause difficulties this year and there would be a need to adjust, according to Phillip Burt, this year's chairman for the effort.

"Our offices and warehouse shut down and requests for sponsorship began to rise," he said. "As the pandemic continued and demand continued to rise, Operation Santa Claus remained focused on their goal: to serve New Hampshire’s children in need."

This year, the effort is around 500 sponsorships short, Burt said, and the program is requesting direct donations of gift cards or donations to Operation Santa Claus can be made here. Gift cards of $70 to $75 to Walmart, Target, Amazon, or other stores will allow volunteers with the program will then shop for the children and distribute the gifts in time for the holidays, he added.

"The children we serve live with a great deal of uncertainty," Burt said. "Providing gifts on Christmas allows children and their families a moment of stability — which is more valuable than ever this year. With less space, fewer funds, and more children in need, donations have more impact than ever before."

When compared to past years, he added, sponsorships "have been slow to come in" and Operation Santa Claus is scrambling to make the holiday memorable for New Hampshire’s children and families in need.

Drop offs of donations can also be made from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the SEIU headquarters at 207 N. Main St. from Dec. 1, to Dec. 4.

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