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A Sub for Santa volunteer is shown delivering gifts.

Courtesy United Way of Utah County

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Sub for Santa volunteers ready gift bags to be delivered to local families in need.

Courtesy United Way of Utah County

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Sub for Santa volunteers sort gifts to be delivered to families in need.

Courtesy United Way of Utah County

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

Courtesy United Way of Utah County

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The month of December is one of the busiest months of the year for everyone. It’s also one of my favorites because our Sub for Santa program provides so many opportunities for us to build relationships with each other as we come together to serve our friends in the community at this special time of year.

Sub for Santa has been a linchpin of our community programs for over 40 years now, and each year I am humbled by both the needs we see and the extraordinary generosity we witness from our community members.

Earlier this week, when we still had hundreds of families who needed sponsors, I was resisting the urge to panic. But as we reach the final few days before Christmas, we have literally seen miracles happen. So many have reached out to provide gifts, toys, warms coats, books or financial help. Others have donated their time sorting and delivering gifts. From the widow who dropped off $5 to those who made large donations to support many families, our generous community members are creating those miracles one step at a time.

In 42 years of Sub for Santa, we as a community have always been able to meet the needs of the families in the program. Because so many people stepped up this year to give a gift, both large and small, we are once again anticipating that not one family in our program will be left out. I am filled with excitement, awe and amazement, but mostly I am overcome with phenomenal gratitude for the generosity of our community.

During the past couple of years, many of our friends and neighbors have struggled to make ends meet financially. This year, we received more applications for help than any year before. As a result, we will help more than 2,600 families, including more than 6,300 children and 503 golden angels.

The stories we have heard and number of people in need have been sobering since they demonstrate that the needs in our community are greater than we often realize. Many of our families have said that rising rent costs have made it difficult for their incomes to keep up with the cost of living. In addition to these rising costs, each family has a unique situation and story about how things have been hard this year. It has been a tough year for so many people, including our close neighbors and friends.

More than 47% of the families who have come through our program this year have never been helped by Sub for Santa. They found themselves in difficult situations or unusual circumstances and reached out for help. While the needs are truly greater this year than we’ve ever seen, that means the number of selfless sponsors and volunteers participating in Sub for Santa and Angel Tree is also the greatest we have ever seen.

Each year, I see so many who have helped in the past return again and again to give more and make sure that no family is forgotten for Christmas. There is nothing as beautiful as seeing how this tradition of giving enriches the hearts and souls of the givers and the receivers of their generosity.

As you finish up those last few errands and wrap the final gifts for your own family and friends, please take some time to think about those in our community who need additional support. Your kindness will not only change the lives of others, but it will change your own life.

There is still time to help, and all donations will be used to support families during this holiday season and throughout the year. I know times are tight for all of us, but as we give whatever we can, I know that our lives will be immeasurably blessed. Thank you for making a difference this season and throughout the year.

For more information about helping during the holidays, visit https://unitedwayuc.org/get-involved/sub-for-santa/.

For more information about helping throughout the year, visit https://unitedwayuc.org/get-involved/sub-for-santa-plus/.