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From ProjectSanta
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How many years has Project Santa Claus operated?
A:Project Santa began in 1979. Will celebrate 30th anniversary in 2009!
Q: How many families are delivered gifts and food each year?
A: More than 300 families (1,200 children)
Q: What food items do Project Santa families receive?
A: Families receive items for a Christmas Dinner, complete with turkey, potatoes,stuffing, canned corn, beans, fruit cocktail, eggs, cake, frosting mix and more.
Q:How are Project Santa families chosen?
A:Many families are referred to Project Santa by social service agencies, schools and other organizations.
Q: How long does a WTA bus driver have to wait before being able to drive a Project Santa Delivery Bus?
A: There is a LONG waiting list of WTA bus drivers who want to drive a Project Santa bus on delivery day. Many have been waiting years to be able to participate.
Q: How many volunteers are involved with Project Santa?
A: More than 300 individuals volunteer their time and services to Project Santa.
OUR SUPPORTERS
Thank you to the Whatcom County Sheriff's Department, Whatcom County Search & Rescue, Whatcom County Firefighters, Madrona Medical, 4th Corner Elites, local businesses, social organizations, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, anonymous donors and community volunteers for your continued support.
SPECIAL THANKS to the following for your continued support & gracious donations:
WTA (buses, drivers & time) Samuel's Furniture (Santa Chair) Sehome High School (Spaghetti Dinner Bldg) Georgia Pacifc (t.p, boxes,paper towels) Search & Rescue 4x4 Unit Copies Now (spaghetti feed tickets) Madrona Medical
Thanks for sharing your smiles and your time !
HISTORY
Project Santa started in 1979 after local deputies noticed while on patrol that many families in Whatcom County were less fortunate and didn't have much.
Rupert DeFries, a deputy at the time, approached the Whatcom Sheriff's Department with an idea of "giving a Christmas" to families in need...
The Sheriff's Department collected $500 from its members and employees to purchase toys, food and trees with ornaments. Managing to obtain a few Santa suits and with the use of their personal vehicles, the Sheriff's Department and search and rescue volunteers assisted 10 families in the first year.
Project Santa Claus kept growing after this point, attracting more volunteers, supporting organizations and community support. Several years into the project, a volunteer suggested a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser to help raise money to purchase more needed food and toys. Whatcom Transportation Authority soon offered their buses and drivers to serve as transport vehicles or Santa sleighs.
Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2009, PROJECT SANTA CLAUS has grown from serving ten families to more than 300 families today!
More than 25 volunteer Santas deliver gifts each year with help from hundreds of volunteer elves. Each family receives a Christmas Dinner complete with turkey, milk, potatoes,stuffing, eggs, cranberry sauce, candy and fruit, as well as toys and clothing items for the children. Many families are referred to Project Santa by social service agencies, schools and other organizations.
Questions regarding how to APPLY FOR PROJECT SANTA CLAUS PROGRAM, contact us via email or phone.
