Emergency Santa Shop

Maureen Conlin, children’s musical performer and owner of Happy Notes Music, created “Music Notes to Benefit Little Folks” for the CARE Partnership Emergency Santa Shop. All proceeds from this “must have” CD for the little folks in your life will be used to brighten the holidays for children that Santa could not visit otherwise.

Please visit Maureen’s website at http://happynotesmusic.com to find out more about this amazing woman who provides children ages 2 to 7 with an opportunity to enjoy a fun, entertaining, and educational way to explore music using imagination, creativity and unique, musical activities and songs.

We anticipate providing Christmas for 3,000 or more children based on prior years and the increasing number of requests for help this past year. Children who will not receive help from any other source are referred to the CARE Partnership Emergency Santa Shop by schools, churches, shelters, outreach workers with other agencies and through the State of Arizona 211 Help Line and Community Information and Referral Service.

Families are asked to complete one hour volunteer service helping any non-profit organization, school, church or neighbor in exchange for their shopping privilege for each child. It is common for Emergency Santa Shoppers to return in following years as Santa “helpers”.

This program supported entirely by volunteers -such as Maureen- embraces the selfless loving spirit of Christmas.

Santa's goal is for each child to receive:

*One set of warm clothing

*Stocking filled with toys and candy

*Book bag filled with school and art supplies

*Toy

*Stuffed animal

Blankets, food box and other assistance for families as needed.

Following the Spirit of the Season, from MakeDemocracyWork.org

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=55412
Emergency Santa program helps where it’s most needed
By Andy Hobbs, Tribune
December 18, 2005

Bev Tittle Baker’s phones ring nonstop — but the busiest time for her Emergency Santa program isn’t even here yet.

"The bulk of our kids come in the last week,’’ said Baker, director and founder of the CARE Partnership in Mesa. "We’re even here on Christmas Day.’’

About 1,500 children received Christmas gifts in 2005 through the program, where parents shop for clothing, toys, stockings and books. For many kids, it’s the only Santa they’ve known.

As "payment’’ for shopping, the partnership asks participants to volunteer anywhere in the community for at least an hour per child helped. Baker likens this deal to planting a seed and becoming "part of the solution.’’ Some families return every year to volunteer, regardless of whether or not they need help.

The concept continues to impress one woman who showed up Dec. 10 with a bagful of toys and an open checkbook. She began donating when Emergency Santa — and the partnership — consisted of a small shed on Baker’s property.

As Baker encourages community involvement, her own experiences as a single mother raising four children remind her why the program is necessary.

"There was always someone there who made things a little easier,’’ she said. "Some of it is maybe a little social justice.’’

CARE Partnership

Bev Tittle Baker began running the Community Asset Resource Enterprise Partnership out of her Mesa home in 1994. Now located on a lot next door, the nonprofit helps thousands of low-income families in the Valley all year long. Its well-rounded approach covers clothing, food, education and even health services. For example, an on-site pediatrician provides exams for uninsured children. A family planning clinic focuses on prenatal care, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and raising awareness about abstinence. Baker said people from all walks of life seek help through the partnership.

Get involved
Starting Dec. 17, families may visit the Emergency Santa shop by appointment. Children who can’t find help from another source are eligible. Donations for the program can be dropped off at the CARE Partnership at 466 S. Bellview St., off Broadway Road between Mesa Drive and Horne in Mesa. Volunteer opportunities are always available. Information: (480) 833-8987. Items needed include warm clothes such as sweat suits for elementary school children, as well as sporting goods, dolls and board games. As for other donations, "money is always the right size and color,’’ said Bev Tittle Baker, executive director.

Contact Andy Hobbs by email, or phone (480) 898-6418

For more information or to participate, email CARE Partnership Office at infocarepartnership.org or call (480) 833-8987

PDFs

EMERGENCYSANTASHOP2009.pdf

2009ToyDriveThankYou.pdf

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