Editor:

Secret Santa has begun its twenty-first year of providing Christmas gifts to the children of families in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel who lack sufficient funds to purchase gifts themselves. Anyone who may need our program this year, or who wishes to assist us in our efforts, should be aware of the following information.

Application forms for parents or legal guardians of children in need may be picked up at the General Assistance offices in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel. Forms are now available. They should be filled out completely and returned to the General Assistance office no later than November 7. Due to the unique nature of our program, applications must be received by November 7. This is due to the amount of time required to involve the community in shopping for the specific gifts requested for each child. All requests are strictly confidential.

Christmas trees bearing tags describing the needed gifts will be in all area banks and town offices beginning November 24. Community members who would like to shop for a Secret Santa gift may take a tag from a tree, purchase the item described on the tag, and return both the tag and the unwrapped gift to any participating bank or town hall. Secret Santa will make sure that the gifts are delivered to the proper family.

Secret Santa provides a way for community members to give a holiday gift anonymously to someone in need, assuring that all children in our towns who wish to may share in the joy of opening Christmas presents. As we look forward to another holiday season, we want to thank in advance all the members of our community whose generosity makes our program possible.

Secret Santa