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Bill Hulterstrom is president and CEO of United Way of Utah County.

Courtesy Riana Bruce-Goodsky

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Volunteers sorting gifts for Angel Tree recipients.

Courtesy

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Last year's Giving Tree at University Place.

Courtesy

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Each year, as we head into the holiday season, I’m impressed again by the generosity and compassion of our community. There are so many people who freely give their time and resources to help make sure that everyone has the support they need this time of year. There are so many companies and organizations that offer volunteer support as well as financial support to programs like Sub for Santa that provide help for community members during the holidays. Sub for Santa, which is now in its 38th year, has always relied on strong partnerships and generous donors for its success. During the past two years, I have been amazed to see how quickly the program and its supporters have adapted to changing circumstances to make sure that families who need the most help can receive the resources they need.

From the hundreds of families who sponsor Sub for Santa participants, to the many local companies who host giving trees, Sub for Santa would not be possible without the support of such partners. University Place, for example, has hosted the Giving Tree for the past 25 years. Thanks to their consistent and dedicated support, thousands of children and “Golden Angels” have received needed gifts during the past decades. University Place’s ongoing commitment to supporting local families is truly inspiring. Many other partners, including Smiths Marketplace, have also donated space for angel trees over the past years, making it possible for donors across Utah County to give.

Another wonderful group of volunteers that make Sub for Santa possible each year are the people who help families at our sign-up workshops. These workshops not only help families sign up for support from the program for Christmas, but they also provide information about resources and services that can provide support for families long term. These workshops are a crucial element of the Sub for Santa program, and the dozens of volunteers each year who take time to sit down one on one with families are making a difference in so many lives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the workshops have looked a little different than normal in order to adhere to safety protocols. We are so grateful for the help of Provo Towne Centre this year for donating space so these workshops can be held safely for volunteers and families.

And speaking of the sign-up process, we are once again thrilled to be partnering with local school districts to help us find the families who will most benefit from Sub for Santa help. Social workers in the school districts are helping identify and register families for the program directly. This service makes it even easier for families in Utah County to get the help they need during the holidays, and we are so grateful to these dedicated social workers who are giving of their time to make sure the families they serve can get the help they need.

Of course, none of the work of Sub for Santa would be possible without the generous donors who sponsor families and individuals, or the dozens of volunteers who sort and deliver gifts each year. Thanks to them, last year Sub for Santa provided gifts to more than 1,700 local families and more than 5,100 children. These generous supporters are truly heroes in our community, and I am so impressed by how often they ask me for other ways to help.

As these supporters demonstrate, we are fortunate to live in a community that recognizes the need for ongoing support for families, not just at certain times of the year. We want children in our community to have a great Christmas, but we also want to make sure they have a better start for the new year. There are so many ways to give that will have an impact far beyond the holidays. For example, many local companies have started hosting book trees in their offices, where donors can provide new books for children. This kind of community support for education will help children discover a love for learning. Another great way to give something that will make a difference long after the holidays is by donating to Sub for Santa Plus.

Sub for Santa Plus is an expansion of our traditional Sub for Santa program, and it provides a way for all community members to provide essentials like food assistance, parenting classes, housing and utility help, and therapy to families who need them. As a companion to our traditional Sub for Santa program, Sub for Santa Plus makes sure that families can continue to access the resources they need year round.

I am always so amazed at how the holidays bring out the best in people, and it is such a privilege to work with our community members during this time of year. Thank you for being so generous and for doing so much to support our community at this time and throughout the year.

To learn more about how to support Sub for Santa and Sub for Santa Plus, please visit http://unitedwayuc.org.

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