The Optimist Club of Asheville launches its 2012 Santa Pal Project to bring toys to children in need:
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (November 21, 2012) The Optimist Club of Asheville is pleased to announce the 2012 Santa Pal Project. Since 1936, Santa Pal has worked to bring toys to low-income families in the Asheville and Buncombe County area, and last year gave new toys to over 3500 children. The Optimist Club invites community members to help meet the 2012 financial goal of $50,000, the entirety of which is used for buying toys.
According to the Santa Pal website, “Due to the influence of national programs fashioned after the Santa Pal Project, as well as tough economic times, the program is in danger of dissolving due to inadequate funding.” The club invites you to give in any way that you can, whether it be time, money or toys to help preserve a tradition that has helped so many families during the Christmas season.
Applications will be received for children ages two to 12 at the soon-to-be-announced Santa Pal Applications Office from November 26, 2012 through December 7, 2012. Distributions will occur between Monday, December 10 and Friday, December 14 from 5pm to 9pm. Each applicant much have a legal picture ID when applying, as either the child’s social security card or birth certificate, and proof that they receive Medicaid, free lunch, and any other type of assistance.
Donations may be sent to Santa Pal, P.O. Box 1912, Asheville, NC 28802. To donate online, visit santapal.org. For more information, call 828-258-3230.
About the Asheville Optimist Club
The Asheville Optimist Club was formed in 1923 and is the oldest club in the Carolinas. It works to serve the children of the local community with programs like Santa Pal and essay contests, every year determining what the needs of the young people of Asheville are and conducting programs to meet those needs. The Asheville Optimist club is a part of Optimist International, an association of more than 2,900 Optimist Clubs around the world dedicated to “Bringing Out the Best in Kids.” Each year Optimists conduct more than 65,000 service projects and serve over six million young people.
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