How Globe Santa Works

Since 1956, Globe Santa has been The Boston Globe's annual appeal for needy children in Greater Boston. The Globe Santa Fund collects donations from the general public to purchase holiday gifts for underprivileged children. The Globe pays administrative costs and provides space in the newspaper during the holiday season to publish stories about family need and list the names of people who give. In recent years, Globe Santa spends more than $1 million dollars annually. The program helps brighten the holiday season for more than 32,000 families and 56,000 children in 167 communities every year.

• Families request gift assistance by writing to Globe Santa, stating their family size and need. This need must be verified and countersigned by a social service or faith based organization that has previously registered with Globe Santa Fund. The organization must have documented records of the particular family's situation. The deadline for family letters this year is November 30, 2011.
• Agencies that can verify requests include welfare offices, hospitals, churches and clergy, halfway houses, AFDC office and similar social service organizations.
• Agencies must register with Globe Santa each year. The registration procedure is announced in the Boston Globe and by mail to agencies that registered in the previous year. The deadline for agency registration this year is October 21, 2011.
• Families apply for assistance during October and November. The application procedure is published in detail in ads in the Globe that run through November.
• Toys are delivered directly to family households beginning the first week in December right up to two days before Christmas.

See a Map / Report of the Globe Santa coverage area