The volunteer organization, affiliated with SHIP, Summit Helping Its People, serves families and senior citizens in Summit, New Providence and Berkeley Heights. This year’s shopping event takes place by invitation during the first week of December at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 587 Springfield Avenue in Summit.
The effort began with a request to the Summit Junior League to help local families during the holidays. Five years later, the Santa Claus Shop became an independent community organization. Today, its leadership includes a chair and co-chair from each of Summit’s five public elementary schools.
With support from residents and local businesses, organizers raise more than $40,000 annually. Participating families receive a new gift, book, hat and gloves for each child under 18, along with a household item, toiletries and grocery gift cards. The chairs also host a holiday breakfast for low-income seniors at the Vita A. Gallo Senior Housing building.
This year’s chairs are Jacquelyn Ford, Whitney Goldberg, Jennifer Jones, Tara Marshall and Mollie Siebert. Co-chairs are Allie Brush, Leslie Flax, Emily Martin, Joyce Sheridan and Margo Strauss.
The shop relies entirely on donations and volunteers. Among its longtime helpers are sisters Monica and Karina Maroto, who have taken time off work to volunteer at the shop for more than 15 years.
Community members can support the effort online at www.summitsantaclausshop.com. Checks should be payable to SHIP, with “Santa Claus Shop” on the memo line, and mailed to Santa Claus Shop, P.O. Box 119, Summit, NJ 07902.
For information about donating or getting involved, visit the website or email santaclausshopsummit@gmail.com.
Source: Santa Claus Shop