Fairbanks families in need reap benefits of Santa’s Clearing House
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FAIRBANKS — The biggest holiday charity in Fairbanks, Santa’s Clearing House, distributed food and gifts on Saturday to hundreds of families going through hard times.
Volunteer drivers snubbed the bitter cold and made the deliveries — toys for children and a week’s worth of groceries, including a Christmas ham.
Charlotte John, who is disabled, was a recipient. She lives in a tiny apartment in South Fairbanks.
“We get by,” John said. “But it’s a big help. I really appreciate it.”
Sponsored by the News-Miner, Santa’s Clearing House collects toys and money at the old railroad depot behind the newspaper in the weeks leading up to Christmas each year.
The charity, in its 58th year, also helps families rendered homeless by house fires, clearinghouse director Nava Christian said.
The holiday help benefits families as far away as Nenana. Seniors also receive assistance.
Christian helped with a few of the deliveries, including one to a family who is caring for an elderly parent.
The modest homes humbled Christian, who said it warmed her heart to see some of the people who benefit from her work. Christian has directed the charity for the past six years.
“I work back here most of the time,” Christian said. “It’s nice to be able to see the other side of it. They seemed to be really appreciative.”
Glenn Aasland hasn’t missed a chance to bring holiday cheer to poverty-stricken families in the past 10 or so years.
He wore a Santa hat and delivered boxes of food and bags of toys using the large van he drives for his employer, Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Most years, he is joined by his daughter, Krissy Floyd.
“I was thinking this morning,” Floyd said, “it truly is better to give than to receive.”
Aasland, who grew up on a farm, knows something about being poor.
“We didn’t have any money growing up but we always had food,” he said. “Not many gifts.”
The clearinghouse closes today, but monetary donations are accepted all year long at the News-Miner. The money goes toward the food bill, which was just below $60,000 this year, Christian said.
Donations can also be mailed to P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks, AK, 99707.
The late Bill Snedden, a longtime News-Miner publisher, started Santa’s Clearing House in the 1950s.
Volunteer drivers snubbed the bitter cold and made the deliveries — toys for children and a week’s worth of groceries, including a Christmas ham.
Charlotte John, who is disabled, was a recipient. She lives in a tiny apartment in South Fairbanks.
“We get by,” John said. “But it’s a big help. I really appreciate it.”
Sponsored by the News-Miner, Santa’s Clearing House collects toys and money at the old railroad depot behind the newspaper in the weeks leading up to Christmas each year.
The charity, in its 58th year, also helps families rendered homeless by house fires, clearinghouse director Nava Christian said.
The holiday help benefits families as far away as Nenana. Seniors also receive assistance.
Christian helped with a few of the deliveries, including one to a family who is caring for an elderly parent.
The modest homes humbled Christian, who said it warmed her heart to see some of the people who benefit from her work. Christian has directed the charity for the past six years.
“I work back here most of the time,” Christian said. “It’s nice to be able to see the other side of it. They seemed to be really appreciative.”
Glenn Aasland hasn’t missed a chance to bring holiday cheer to poverty-stricken families in the past 10 or so years.
He wore a Santa hat and delivered boxes of food and bags of toys using the large van he drives for his employer, Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Most years, he is joined by his daughter, Krissy Floyd.
“I was thinking this morning,” Floyd said, “it truly is better to give than to receive.”
Aasland, who grew up on a farm, knows something about being poor.
“We didn’t have any money growing up but we always had food,” he said. “Not many gifts.”
The clearinghouse closes today, but monetary donations are accepted all year long at the News-Miner. The money goes toward the food bill, which was just below $60,000 this year, Christian said.
Donations can also be mailed to P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks, AK, 99707.
The late Bill Snedden, a longtime News-Miner publisher, started Santa’s Clearing House in the 1950s.
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comments (1)
« Yota99714 wrote on Sunday, Dec 20 at 08:20 PM »
Thank all of you for your kindness of heart, and generosity of time. YOU ROCK!
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