Shoppers kicked off the holiday season on Black Friday by spending a record $9.8 billion, according to CNBC.com.

Those shoppers no doubt embrace the weeks leading up to Christmas as a joyful time for gift-giving and an opportunity to celebrate the season together with friends and family. However, the truth is that many families struggling with health problems or food, financial, or housing insecurity cannot provide a nice Christmas for their children without help from others.

For many local folks, that’s where the Item Santa Fund comes in.

Now in its 57th year, the Item Santa Fund helps to make Christmas brighter for those in need. 

One local parent shared her story, saying “this year has been extra hard on my family” due to health issues, which have had a “hard impact on my family.”

As a result, she is struggling not only with finding a way to give her family a happy Christmas, but keeping up with the daily tasks and responsibilities that come with being a parent of young children.

“I’m not able to help my family as much as I used to because of how tired I get when I walk, and have had to rely on my just-turned-12-year-old son to help with the cleaning, cooking, and taking care of his 8-year-old sister in doing her homework,” she wrote.

The parent said she expects the situation to get worse long before it gets better as she is facing surgery in December, which will greatly increase the family’s dependence on her son as a caretaker.

“That’s something a 12-year-old shouldn’t have to do, but he’s an amazing young man who is selfless, caring, and always willing to help his family out no matter what!” the parent wrote.

You can help lighten the load for this family and brighten its holiday season with a donation to Item Santa.

To donate, clip the coupon in The Item and mail it, along with your check, to The Item Salvation Army Santa, 85 Exchange St., Lynn, MA 01901. 

There is also a way to donate online through the Salvation Army at itemsanta.org.

All donations are listed in Item print editions through the month of December and into 2024, along with a brief message from each donor, if desired.

NOTE: The application period for aid from Item Santa has closed and The Item does not process applicants. All questions about the program and distribution of gifts should be directed to the Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.