by Rick Griffin
The Santee Santas Foundation, a non-profit assisting local families and seniors over the past 60 years with toys and food, helped 222 families and more than 400 children this past holiday season, according to Sam Modica, president, Santee Santas Foundation. Volunteers recently delivered about two weeks of nonperishable food items, poinsettia flowers, wrapped gifts and books for young children and gift cards for teenagers.
Pardee Homes was a supporter of the recent effort. A $5,000 grant was made possible through Pardee Homes’ parent company Weyerhaeuser. “The generous support from companies like Pardee and Weyerhaeuser has such a significant impact on our program and local families in need,” said Modica. “For many of these families, this is their only chance to have gifts and a holiday meal. Our senior outreach program ensures many seniors in our community who are living alone or in senior care facilities are not forgotten over the holidays.
Santee Santas is an all-volunteer organization, with school district employees, City of Santee staff, firefighters, local businesses, service organizations, mobile home parks and local citizens working together to make each year’s endeavors successful.