During the next two weeks, they will repeat the process as they shop to help give children in Temple a better Christmas.
Sometimes Santa needs a little help. That’s where Santa Pals comes in by helping Temple families with toys for their children.
Frank W. Mayborn, late publisher and editor of the Temple Daily Telegram, began the Santa Pals program in 1931 to provide struggling families with a Christmas during the Depression. For the past 10 years, the Kiwanis Club in Temple has worked with the Bell County HELP Center to help families celebrate Christmas. Families submit applications to the HELP Center, which are then screened before they are passed along to the Kiwanis Club.
Judy Morales, HELP Center director, said they have received about 500 applications and will continue to take them until Dec. 8. Applications may be dropped off at the center 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.
During the screening process, Mrs. Morales said they look for those with extra hardships, which they can refer to other organizations that will provide help for the entire family.
“Kiwanis provides toys, but sometimes they need food or clothes,” she said. “We all work together and share information so that we try not to have duplicates and so everybody can get something for Christmas. We try to provide the spirit of Christmas to the children who may do without.”
Those approved are then sent to Barbara Burtchell with Kiwanis, who oversees the shopping and distribution of the gifts. Ms. Burtchell said the club budgets $30 per child and has funds to buy gifts for 333 children this year. Last year, they bought gifts for about 300.
“Depending on how much money we get, we’ll know exactly how many we can help,” she said. “We hate for any kid not to have Christmas, but we can only do so much.”
Ms. Burtchell buys $30 gift certificates from Wal-Mart and Santa’s helpers spend time buying toys for the children on their lists.
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