HOUSTON — When you no longer have to show up at the office, it is easy to lose track of time.
Honestly, I can’t believe it is time to go down to the storage locker and pull out the Christmas decorations. Even more alarming, it is time to make wishes come true.
I’m not talking about grown-folks’ wants. I’m talking about the wide-eyed wishes of children who still believe in the magic of Christmas.
Every year at this time, Chicago Sun-Times’ employees turn into Santa’s elves and throw themselves into the task of answering letters from students through the Letters to Santa program.
Brought to you by the Sun-Times Charity Trust, we match over 10,000 Chicago area students with volunteer elves who purchase gifts and help make children’s holiday wishes come true.
It is a fun, but sometimes a frustrating assignment.
For instance, I am determined to find the toy the child has asked for. After all, it will probably be the only time they get exactly what they ask for from Santa.
I grew up in a household with nine siblings which meant, more often than not, we got something close to the trending toy that we were dreaming of.
Every child should have a moment when their eyes light up after the wrapping paper is torn off.
I run from store to store until I find that particular toy. But this year, the deadline for taking care of this important business sneaked up on me. Instead of purchasing a toy, I am sending a cash donation to the Chicago Sun-Times Charity Trust and let the elves take care of it.
But I can give them a heads up about what possibly will be on the wish list.
This year, I am in Houston for Thanksgiving where I have a lot of nieces and nephews that I am laying eyes on for the very first time.
I was so much older when my youngest brother was born, we grew up separated by more than distance. Without the “Letters for Santa” program, I wouldn’t have a clue what children are asking for. But surprisingly, the wishes are mostly the same.
For instance, Zaire Duncan, my 9-year-old nephew wants a PS-4 game play station, and some shoes, Nikes preferred. Zaire claims he’s got the grades to support his request.
And his brother Corey Duncan, 13, a seventh-grader, said the fact that he is starting to like math even though he’s “still not good at it.”
His big wish: A “new phone for sure. I need it for tutoring. I need it to call my mom and to text her. Also I’m trying to play sports, so I need it to reach her for practice.
Corey could also use some “Jordan” gym shoes.
“I got pretty good grades and I’m a good kid. I listen and I am respectful,” he told me.
Amiya Duncan, his 6-year-old sister’s rationale for her list being fulfilled was simple: “I was good,” she told me. “I want a Barbie doll. A Barbie playhouse, and a ‘L.O.L.’ toy,” she said.
And as a testament to the Barbie brand, her cousin, 4-year-old Madison Ivory, also wanted a Barbie Doll tree house, along with “Twinkle Toes” shoes and a computer.
The “Letters to Santa” program asks that you buy a present, wrap it and drop it off at the school on the date requested. The students get to list three things so there is no need to feel pressured to buy an expensive gift that may be on a child’s wish list.
But you would be surprised how many children ask for practical gifts, like a coat, socks and shoes.
This is the program that reminds me that children don’t have to be needy to deserve this one special magical day.
Being a child is reason enough.
Here’s how to help
To be one of Santa’s helpers, please go to our website at suntimes.com/santa, call us at (312) 321-3114 or email us at elves@suntimes.com.
