The Santa Foundation - Still Going Strong in Its 37th Year!

The Santa foundation couldn’t do what it does without the support of many local businesses (many are listed on our website sfjoy.org) and local community support. We are overwhelmed with the constant influx of support through donations, adopting families and gifts from our local giving trees (see the list below, all you need to do is pick a tag off the tree, buy the gift listed, tape the name tag to the unwrapped gift, and the Santa Foundation will get the gift delivered! Dick Tomaino coordinates getting all the tags delivered and picking up the gifts as needed.

• Franklin Police Department, 911 Panther Way, Franklin 

• Grove Street Auto, 79 Grove Street, Franklin

• James Roadside Café, 850 Franklin St., Wrentham

• King Street Cafe, 390 King St., Franklin

• Medway Police Department, 315 Village St., Franklin 

• Middlesex Bank, 1000 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin

• Norfolk Credit Union, 194 Main St., Norfolk

• Norfolk Fire Department, 117 Main St, Norfolk

• Postal Center, 279 E Central Street, Franklin

• Postal Center, 9 Medway Rd., Ste. C, Milford

• Postal Center, 14 Milliston Rd., Millis

• Zuzu’s Petals ,19 Dean Street, Franklin

Our volunteers that work at The Santa Foundation are still concerned about the ongoing COVID, Flu and RSV risks, so we’re operating with a light staff. This does mean longer days and hours for Jan Prentice, Lia Thomas, and Patty Toney, who are the best Santa Helpers in the world. They all work hard getting the wish lists, getting information to adopting families, and coordinating the pickup of gifts when everything is accounted for. We also have two younger volunteers, Patrick Timmons and Karina Thomas, who help maintain our website and assist with our annual fundraisers at La Cantina Winery and the well-loved November Calendar raffle.

People always ask what we need! Santa Foundation President Richard Timmons says, “The best gifts for most recipients are still gift cards. Walmart, Target and local food chains are gifts that allow families to get a gift but also go shopping for clothes and food as needed.” This year, there is a concern on increasing prices, and inflation is a big concern this year with electric, oil and gas prices all significantly higher. We have had a few recipients’ requests for gas cards to lighten the burden, so this may be a new gift idea.

The Santa Foundation not only provides families with gifts during the holiday season, but also helps families in need throughout the year. We have paid rent, utilities, and expenses for daily necessities as needed. Jan and Lia note the current needs for families this year are, “pampers of all sizes, clothes for boys and girls under age 5, gifts for teenagers, and gift cards.” Donations of these items can be purchased and dropped off at the Santa Foundation located at 1 Joy Street Franklin Ma.

Says Timmons, “The generosity we see from everyone is amazing during the timeframe from now until Christmas. I wish everyone could see the faces and hear the thank you as the gifts are given to the recipients.  

The Santa Foundation wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy healthy New Year.”

To reach the Santa Foundation, located at 1 Joy Street in Franklin, visit www.sfjoy.org, or find them on Facebook. You can also call (508) 528-4715 or email [email protected].