Santa’s Helpers served 193 families in 2008
March 12th, 2009Changes to the Santa’s Helpers program in Sibley County may have lowered participation in 2008.
One hundred ninety-three families with 492 children were served, according to the committee. The committee, consisting of Linda Hoechst, Dawn Kratzke, Stacy Hoechst, Kathy Franke, and Kim Nachreiner, presented a report to the County Human Services Board last ***—-month.
Several changes were made to the Santa’s Helpers program this past year. An application process was required. Only children under age 16 were served by the program.
Minimal complaints were received by the committee, they said. Area civic groups who help with the collection were appreciative of the guidelines, they reported. There are income requirements for the program which are consistent with the WIC (Women Infant Children nutrition program) guidelines.
Sibley County’s Santa’s Helpers program has been unique, because there is a room of children’s gifts and a room for children to pick out gifts for their parents. The committee decided that it would not spend any monetary donations on adult gifts.
42% of the families served in the program were from Gaylord. 21% was from Arlington, 12% from Winthrop, 7% Gibbon, and 6% each from New Auburn, Green Isle and Henderson.
It has been the committee’s goal to have a $2,000 fund balance to carry over until next year. Monetary donations in 2008 totaled $9,800.95. Purchases totaled $6,801.87, with a balance remaining of $3,956.38.
The committee recognized participants in the County Connection Clubhouse for helping set up, taking down, delivering gifts, making treats for volunteers, and setting up donation cans.
