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Santa, let me start by saying how sorry I am for the late notice this year.

Did you change your number?

I tried calling you in advance, but it said my number could not go through.

Anyway, we have quite a list this year.

For the most part, we have been good. Except for that one person who got arrested for that one thing.

You know the one. No, not him. But good memory.

No, not him either, but he probably deserved it.

Yes, yes that’s the one. But even he needs a little something.

It is that time again for the many elves across Stanly County to venture out into the community and spread Christmas cheer to the many people who need a little help this holiday season.

I sent out requests a little later this year for our Santa wish lists from local organizations.

I did receive a good response.

So I’m going to present the requests I have received so far, and if more come in I will give an update.

* * *

Dear Santa,

We are very fortunate to work in a community that supports us so greatly.

Food and funds are raised by many organizations to help us in our work.

A few big-ticket items that would make our work easier and more efficient. We would love to have a new box truck and a glass door freezer for our food pantry. (Full size, and operational!)

We also have a small mortgage left on the expansion of our Community Table in Albemarle. A gift of $6,500 would help us end our year debt-free.

Santa, make sure you share the love of our community with all the families you visit this Christmas.

Help Stanly County families know that we are happy to help take care of our neighbors.
The staff of Stanly Community Christian Ministry
506 S. First St.
PO Box 58
Albemarle, NC 28002
704-982-7915

* * *

Dear Santa,

Homes of Hope has had a full year with its Transitional Housing full to capacity.

The Community Inn has also been, at times, overflowing.

Needs include paper towels, printer paper, facial tissue, disinfectant spray, liquid laundry detergent, large body wash bottles and any type of cleaning supplies.

Currently, there is enough warm clothing for the Community Inn guests.

Thank you for all the volunteer assistance in 2019.

Skeet Ayscue
Homes of Hope
1816B E. Main St.,
Albemarle

* * *

Dear Santa,

Our United Way has had a big year, with lots of changes for us on the horizon.

We are very thankful for our donors, friends and 16 partner non-profits who work side by side to make our community stronger.

Our Christmas wish this year is for a digital camera that also shoots video, like the Canon EOS Rebel T6, and its average price is $399.

Having a camera like this would enable us to engage with people more through social media and our website and help other non-profits raise awareness of their services and events.

From fundraisers to resource fairs and task-force meetings, this would be an awesome tool to better share them with the community.

Thank you so much for your consideration.

Salem Taylor
Executive Director
United Way of Stanly County
116 E. North St.
P.O.Box 1178
Albemarle, NC 28002
704-982-6916

* * *

Dear Santa,

Esther House is honored to serve our communities with support and safe shelter.

Our house is in need of food, funds and household goods. Since we are expanding with a second location due to increased needs, we could use things such as bedding, kitchen items such as pots, pans, cooking utensils, glass casserole dishes, dishes, glasses, silverware, dish towels and washcloths, as well as gift cards for perishable foods such as milk, eggs, meats, etc.

We don’t ask for much Santa, just the things that our organization needs to make our clients feel at home and safe.

Thank you, Santa, for thinking of us and the families that we serve.

The staff of Esther House
704-961-7502

* * *

Dear Santa,

The participants at CARE Cafe have been especially good this year.

We are collecting items to fill their stockings. They enjoy puzzle books, ink pens, snack crackers, chocolate, candy canes, peppermints, lip balm, lotion, fruit, nuts, popcorn, hot chocolate and Christmas knick knacks.

We have a total of 10 stockings to fill. Donations may be dropped off at 1003 Meadow St.

Please call Sandra at 704-986-2273 to schedule a time to bring donations.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and have a Merry Christmas.

Sandra B. Nance
Director of CARE, Inc.

* * *

Dear Santa,

Hospice of Stanly & the Uwharrie would love to have the funds to purchase Christmas poinsettias. We would share the poinsettias with all of our patients and their families.

Many patients can’t decorate and the families may not be able to find the time. We feel everyone should be able to have something to remind them of the holiday season.
Poinsettias are traditional Christmas plants and would be a way to give our patients some Christmas cheer. Amid all the holiday commotion, a poinsettia could bring a little bit of merry to a hospice patient and their family.

Since 1981, Hospice of Stanly & the Uwharrie has cared for patients and their families with compassionate care, enabling them to embrace the end of life with courage, dignity and peace.

Beth Plowman
Community Outreach Manager
Hospice of Stanly & the Uwharrie
960 N. First St.,
Albemarle
704-983-4216

* * *

Dear Santa,

We are so grateful that the people we support in our Stanly County group homes and at the SIS Day Program will again benefit from our community’s generosity.

I’ve compiled a list of items that our team members indicated would be most welcome this time of year.

If gifts are delivered to Monarch, 350 Pee Dee Ave., Albemarle, we will make sure they get to the appropriate site:

• Art supplies – paint, brushes, construction paper, canvas, colored pencils, washable markers, craft items, etc.

• Gift cards to Hobby Lobby or Lowe’s for arts and crafts supplies.

• Board games and puzzles.

• Personal care items – shampoo, conditioner, soap, baby wipes, deodorant, etc.

• Bedding – twin or full sizes sheet sets.

• Clear plastic storage boxes for art supplies.

• Outdoor swing.

• Grill cover.

• Water cooler.

Laurie A. Weaver,
senior director of philanthropy, Monarch,
350 Pee Dee Ave., Ste. A
Albemarle
704-986-1536

* * *

Dear Santa,

GHA Autism Supports operates a working farm in the Millingport community where individuals with autism live, work and play.

We are seeking an older model truck that perhaps a donor is ready to retire. Farm operations require a truck to perform many of the day to day tasks.

Beth Olivieri,
Chief Development Officer, GHA
Autism Supports
P.O. Box 2487
Albemarle, NC 28002
704.982.9600, ext. 125

* * *

Dear Santa,

Stanly County Senior Services would love to have toiletry items, socks and warm blankets for the clients that we serve in our In Home Services and Nutrition programs.

We would also love the gift of time in delivering home delivered meals to our homebound seniors.

Becky Weemhoff
Director
Stanly County Senior Services
283 N. Third St.
Albemarle
704-986-3769

* * *

If you are not able to help out with the above, try to help out another organization or provide help to a family in need this Christmas.

There is also still time to donate to Helping Hands and Stanly Community Christian Ministry.

As always, I would love to find out if these wishes are granted. So if you receive donations, snap a couple photos and send them to bj.drye@stanlynewspress.com. We may run a couple of them with an update after Christmas.

Thanks for your support.

And Santa, you know I’ve been good this year, right?

I really could use a …

Well, I don’t have to tell you.

You already know what I want.

B.J. Drye is editor of The Stanly News & Press. Contact him at 704-982-2123, bj.drye@stanlynewspress.com or follow bjdrye1 on Twitter.