Santa Fund helps Madison County children in need

Madison County school counselors and social workers join forces each year to ensure that Santa Fund dollars are efficiently distributed to students in need to buy essentials such as clothes and shoes.

“In Madison we have used the bulk of our funds to help students prepare for the new school year,” Robin Breckenridge, a social worker with Madison’s Department of Social Services, said. Social services distributes most of the money in July and August, prior to the start of the new school year, but saves some funding for needs that arise throughout the year, she added.

Breckenridge said that because Madison’s Santa Fund dollars are managed by social workers, they are able to accept referrals from a broad range of sources. Still, she said, social workers are most often contacted by school guidance counselors.

“The school’s relationship with our local social services is so strong,” said Nicole Keys, a guidance counselor at Waverly Yowell Elementary School. “They are very eager and quick to respond to the needs of our students.”

Keys added that social services allows “counselors to use their judgment” as to which students should be referred for assistance. Once requests reach social services, social workers can use available financial information to determine the family’s level of need, Breckenridge explained.

The Santa Fund has helped 88 students so far this school year, Breckenridge said. In most cases, students under age 12 receive $50 per year while older students receive $75.

Keys said that at Waverly Yowell most of the Santa Fund dollars are used for new shoes. Some students come to school in shoes they have outgrown, are too big or are deteriorating, she said, adding that without properly fitting shoes children have a hard time participating in physical education classes.

“[Wearing proper shoes] gives them the opportunity to go out with their classmates and play,” she said. “If we didn’t have [the Santa Fund], I don’t know where the money would come from.”

The Santa Fund has been helping children get shoes, clothing, medicine and other essentials since it was established in 1894. Money raised serves children in the city of Charlottesville, as well as Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson and Orange counties.

Sponsored by The Daily Progress and radio station WINA and administered by the United Way-Thomas Jefferson Area, the Santa Fund has raised $119,100 to date. The deadline was extended to mid-January this year as donations fell short of the fund’s $120,000 goal.

Santa Fund envelopes are available at the offices of The Daily Progress, 685 W. Rio Road, and WINA, 1140 Rose Hill Drive.

Contributions can be mailed to: Santa Fund, 806 E. High St., Charlottesville, VA 22902.

Contributors

Anonymous, $100

In memory of "Mother." Lloyd and Marie, $25

To the First Tee Golphers. All the best, Joel, $15

TODAY’S TOTAL: $140

RUNNING TOTAL: $119,100

GOAL: $120,000

TO REACH GOAL: $900