Local News |

Valley Santa wraps up 41st year

The Valley Santa program recently completed its 41st year providing holiday toys to thousands of kids in the region.

This year, the nonprofit operation once again provided gifts to more than 5,000 children thanks to a loyal group of organizers, sponsors and an army of volunteers.

“The need is still really there. There was a lot of community support like always,” said attorney Sarah Borland, vice president of Valley Santa’s board of directors. “We had over 300 volunteers. We saw old faces who come back year after year and we saw a lot of new people, which was great. We saw a lot of Wilkes and Kings students who were helping out, which was nice to see.”

Borland’s parents, attorneys Kim and Ruth Borland, spearheaded the program in 1984 and continue to lead the nonprofit. The idea started after Kim Borland served as a fill-in Santa for the Domestic Violence Service Center’s Christmas party for kids in 1983.

Valley Santa continues to be sponsored by The Citizens’ Voice and Standard-Speaker newspapers, Boscov’s, M&T Bank and the City of Wilkes-Barre.

Volunteers expected to finish delivering presents on Christmas Eve, but those still in need of presents on Christmas Day could call Helpline at 570-829-1341, Sarah Borland said.

Valley Santa is funded by donations and fundraisers.

Prior to Christmas, real-life letters are published in The Citizens’ Voice and The Standard-Speaker newspapers to show the need in the community. All letters, which are published anonymously, are signed by a clergy member or a social worker who vouch for the need.

To donate, send checks to Valley Santa, P.O. 5276, Wilkes-Bare, PA 18703 or visit www.valleysanta.org.

Valley Santa volunteers

Mike Hudacek, Felix Akomprah, Kathy Alaimo, Taelor Allen, Barbara Ambrose, Emmalia Amigon, Katherine Arnold, Anthony Ashulde, Alison Aten , Nancy Atherton, Eileen Attar, MaryAnn Augaitis, Mark Aujelo, Mary Avia, Marissa Ballick, Lauren Balogh. Ann Balonis, Mary Kate Banford, Sierra Bargstolt, Emily Barka, Michael Bartlett, Brandon Bartlett, David Bass, Gabriel Bates, Janine Becker, Catie Becker, Michelle Bedford, Tom Bedford, Lucy Bedford, Leon Bedford, Molly Bieryla, Dennis Bieryla, Molly Bieryla, Katie Bieryla, Joel Blomgvist, Megan Bobeck, James Bobek, Jim Bobek, Cindy Bolinger, Courtney Bolinger,

Katie  Bond, Cathy Bonita, Katie Borkowski, Ruth Borland, Kim Borland, Sarah Borland, Joseph Borland, Mollie Boyd, Scooter Brickey, Candace Brill, Carson  Bron, Tanya  Brown, Cole Brown, Giuliana Brown, Giavnna Brown, Tanya  Brown, Cassidy Brumagin, Danielle Budzinski, Pat Buerger, Joe Caffrey, Grace Caims, Olivia Callahan, Ann Caranlund, Laurene Carlin, Izzy Carlin, Tony Carlucci, Joyce Cerase, Kim Challenger, Chibugo Chiyuze-Nwosu, Mike Chmiola

Joe Cholko, Suzanne Christian, Brian Coe, Jack Coffay, Mary Colasear, Keri Colleran, Phoebe Conder, Adriana Confroti, Olivia Connell, Denise Conrad, Audrey Cook, Jude Cooney, Braden Copp, Josh Cowder, Robert Creo, Tiffany Crispell, Marilyn Crispell,Amanda Cromer, Lorie Cudwadie, Emmanuel DagDag, Aubrey Daniels, John Davis, Connie Deady, Allie Debe, Joe DeHaut, Cheryl DeHaut, Amiya Deree, Kehara Deremer, Ann Doazba, Cathy Dombroski, Ann Drazba, Jennifer Dress, Aria Dress, Owen Dress, Christine Dress, Ashylynn Dudek, Shannon Dudek, Kathy Duhoski, Lori  Dydnski, Megan Dydynski, Leo Egbe, Suzanne English, Paige Evanofski, Mackenzie Farrell, RuthAnn Fedorchek, Mary Ann Ferguson, Sophie Fiedorcey, Jill Fiedorczyk, Diana Fort, Alyssa Fort

Alivia Foster, Allison Fox, Karen French, Kimberly Frias, Michele Frisbie, Hannah Frischman, Mary Carol Gabla, Eileen Gallup, Josephine Gankos, Leah Gardzalla, Michele Garrison, Lisa Giovanni, Shane Gregory, Lindsay Griffith, Abby Grimes, Carol Grogan, Keyla Gronkowski, Cassi Gruzesky, Derek Grymko, Nina Grymko, Dan Haddle, Morgan Hadesty, William Hall. Kathy Hall, Sid Halsar, Cydney Halsar, Donna Hampel, Leah Hannon, Samnatha Harris, Sarah Harris, Samantha Hernandez, Jionni Higgins, Shanny Hinds, Ja’Lani Holmes, Kyra Hoyt, Tammy  Hudacek, Chris Anthony Hugh, Beck Hummel, Rebecca Hummel, Ruth Hummel, Nancy Hunter, Jeannette Huntz, Kristie Hynoski, Louis Idp, Kariann Iskra, Jessica Ives, Nancy Johnson, Lindsey Johnston, Cecily Johnston, Steve Johnston

Marc Johnstone, Theresa Jolomer, Denise Joseph, Allan Joseph, Marina Kachinko, Candice Kapral, Betty Keating, Amanda Keener, Tammy  Kellar, Melissa  Kempinski, Suzanne Kennedy, Matthew Kenzokoski, David Kerr, Natalia Kerr, Rosalie Kesselring, Brooklyn Kieselowsky, Shea Kilbourn, Stacy  Kile, Colleen King, Jason King,  Jessica Klineveller, Kieren Koons, Diane Kopko, Cathy Krasinski, Cathy Kratz, Jonas Kremski, Hailey Kulpa, Mary Ladisle, Frank Lasiewichi, Jessica LaSorsa, Bonnie Laud, Sharon Lavan, Mary Lavin, Summer Lefkoski, Angel Lemanski, Brayden Lepore, Liz Lipski, Talia Lovett, Crystal Lovett, Katie  Lykon Bond, Debbie Lykon Bond, Theresa Lynch, Irene Mackiewicz, Theodore Madjeski, Addisyn  Madjeski, Gayle Maisano, Mary Malone, Danielle Mamany, Lisa Marcincavage, Stephanie Marino, Joel Martinez, Marie McCormick, Charlie McCormick, Heidi McDaniels, Marx McDermott, Breah Mcfee, Sally McGuire, Bob McManus, Lindey McManus, Jane McManus, Mary Joan Meehan, Anthony Melf, Sonya Mercadante, Penny Mericle, Kelly  Mericle Gregory, Remy Mertz, Alison Mertz, Alexander Mertz, Rory Mertz, Debra Michaels,  Dolores Michaels, Reagan Miller, Christina Miller, Gary Missal, Jay Monahan, Lucy Morgan, Mary Morgan, Jasmyne Morgans, Alivia  Moska, Scott Mudzik,  Stacey Mullen, Susanne Mullin, Amanda Myzick, Karen Nallon, Jamie Nelson, Patti Niznik, Joel Niznik, Pam Niznik, Patti Niznik, Joel Niznik, Joel Niznik, Jr.

Olivia Noll, Evelyn Noll, Mathew Noll, Marilyn Novak, Judi Nunemacher, Arianna Nunez, Beth O’Boyle, Ruthie O’Dell, Maureen O’Donnell, Brianna O’Kane, Mike O’Meana, Gene Ondeck, Donna O’Neill, Darby O’Neill, Leon Orr, Madison Orrsison, Kobina Otoo, Eliane Pallone, Breck Park, Nestah Pauline, Gordon Pearson, Sharon Pendolphi, Izabella Penez, Matt Perry, Pam Peters, Mary Jo Petlock, Erin Pikul, Elizabeth Piperato, Megan Pitts, Sara Pokorny, Alexa Prushinski, Hudson Qra, Brittany Quinn, Jeanne Rabel, Barbara Radzilla, Danyle Ramvo, Trent Ranella, Olive Ranella, Violet Ranella, Florence Rapaeh, Brian Reese, Donna Reilly, Daniel Renouf, Rose Ritchie, Sean Robbins, Peter Rocco, Holly Rodgers, Alexa Romanoski, Liza Roper, Ellen Rosengrant

Tina Rothery, Robert Ruddy Janelle Rusthon, Colleen Ryan, Jill Sabol, Jayden Sanchez, Mari Sanes, Layla Sarris, MaryAnn Sarris, Barb Sauls, Maria Scappaticci, Amarah Scott, Faith Sekol, Michele Sekol, Lori Shemanski, Delaney Sheperis, Katherine Shepherd, Lily Shymanski, Christina Sickler, Bob Silvi, Abby Singer, Kathy Skinhart, Thea Slack, Linda Slamon, Taysia Smiley, Karen Smith, Denise Sordoni, Annabel Sosa, Katie  Spencer, Colleen Sperdyto, Camille Sperlazzo, Madison Stanislow, Rachael Stark, Jackson Stash, Tiffany Stefanski, Keri Stefanski, Nathan Sterba, Larry Stirewalt, Diane Surdel, Mia Swaditch, Carrigan Sweigart, Caeli Sweigart, MaryBeth Tabit, Jean Taylor, Donato Telesco, Owen Tempovski, Joanne Tenneriello, Nancy Tenneriello, Ayla Terpak, Martina Thomas

John  Tierney, Braden Tomalis, Addry Tomalis, Gary Tomalis, Karen Tomalis, Theresa Tomalis, Mike Tomalis, April Tommaselli, Megan Toney, Alex Toole, Delphine Torbik, Geri Ulichney, Isis Urban, Harper Valentino, Piper Valentino, Malakai Vanderburg, Rya Vanluvender, Melvin Vasquez, Daniel Vazquez, Pam Volovic, Arielle Wall, Marie Warren, Mandy Welman, Jessica Wes, Italia West, Carlie Wetzel, Sandra Wheeler, Tarrah Wiley, Maureen Williams, Morgan Williams, Reagan Williams, Maryann Wilmoth, Dave Wilson, Nick  Wilson, Adrienne Wren, Teyton Wychock, Addison Wychock, Leigh Yanchus, Abbey Young, Jess Yurkel, Jeannie Zaykowski, Solomon Plains Student Council.