Michael, a single father, works a full-time job but pays high costs for child care.
He wrote a letter to Valley Santa asking for help with providing Christmas gifts for his two children.
“My children’s mom left in July so I am doing it on my own,” Michael wrote. “My children would appreciate any help you can give us.”
He is one of many single parents who are struggling financially and wrote letters to Valley Santa asking for help so that their children have Christmas presents.
Beth, a single mother of two children, said she and her children live in low-income housing. She is having a tough time making ends meet.
“By the time I pay bills and buy clothes, food and medications, I hardly have any money left for Christmas presents,” she wrote. “It has been a bad year.”
Everyone is encouraged to donate to Valley Santa to ensure children in need throughout Luzerne County have gifts to open this Christmas.How to donate: Donations may be mailed to Valley Santa Inc., P.O. Box 5276, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, or dropped off at any M&T Bank branch.How to volunteer: Volunteers are needed to help pack presents in gift bags Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:30 p.m. at Boscov’s in Wilkes-Barre. Anyone interested may call Help Line at 570-829-1341 or schedule appointments online at https://Giftwrappingvolunteer forvalleysanta.as.me/.How to request help: Write a letter to Valley Santa, P.O. Box 5268, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, explaining the need that exists in as much detail as possible. Include your name, the names, ages and genders of your children, address, ZIP code and telephone number. The letter must be co-signed by a clergy member, case/social worker or school or health personnel and must include their address and evening telephone number for confirmation. Requests will be considered for children ages 12 and younger. No telephone requests will be accepted.