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TAGS TUG AT SECRET SANTA’S HEART

EMPLOYEES SKIP GIFT EXCHANGE FOR
TRUE ACT OF CHRISTMAS CHARITY

(Sanford) The stockings may not have been hung by the chimney, but the Christmas tree was laden with tags for needy kids.

The Christmas tree, in the lobby of the Ocean Communities Credit Union branch on Route 4, was brightly decorated with lights and ornaments. Last week it was also decorated with small white tags from the York County Shelter in Alfred. Each tag represented a child’s wish – for new clothes, a toy, a game – something each of the less-fortunate kids at the shelter really wanted.

Mainers are generous people, and many of the credit union’s members grabbed a tag as they entered to cash their paychecks or do some banking. Later many returned with a gift, and put it under the tree.

Soon ’twas the week before Christmas, and there were still far too many tags on the tree, and not enough boxes underneath it. So the Ocean Communities employees decided to do something about it – something that reflects the true spirit of Christmas. Something that says a lot about the kind of people they are.

They scrapped their own Secret Santa program. Instead of anonymously giving gifts to fellow employees, they decided to spread true Christmas cheer, and use that money to buy presents for the kids at the shelter. Yes, the names of fellow employees had already been picked. In some cases, gifts had even been bought and paid for.

But that didn’t matter as much as all those tags on that Christmas tree in the lobby. There were so many tags left. So many unfilled holiday wishes. Maybe a hundred. Maybe even more.

Like Santa’s elves, the credit union staff sprang into action. Employees at the other Ocean Communities branches contributed, too. These folks are hardly rookies at charity work. Their employee volunteer organization, People Helping People, donates thousands of dollars each year to York County charities, through a variety of raffles and other fund-raising events. This year, in cooperation with their branches in Kennebunk and Biddeford, People Helping People has already donated to a variety of charity and civic organizations. They gave $1000 to the Red Cross in the aftermath of September 11. They contributed $100 to a fund raiser for Bryanna Brice, a Biddeford child who needs a kidney transplant. They’ve quietly supported Meals on Wheels and several York County food pantries.

Now that the staff had decided what to do, and collected the donations, they came up with a plan. Financial Services Representative Jody Spulick used to work at Mardens. So she called Mardens’ manager and explained what they had in mind. In the spirit of the season, the store arranged to give generous discounts on everything the credit union staff bought for the kids at the shelter. The employees divided up the hundred or so remaining tags, spread out through the store, and started shopping.

"All of us at Ocean Communities feel really great about what we’ve done," said Assistant Head Teller Laura Anderson, who helped organize it. "And the members (of the credit union) made a big difference with their donations, too."

Most of the shopping blitz was completed at Mardens. But after reviewing their list – and checking it twice – there were still some requests they hadn’t been able to fill. So they headed over to Ames.

When the people at Ames caught wind of the mission these Santa’s helpers were on, they were swept up in the Christmas spirit, too. Wanting to help out, they arranged a nice discount, too.

When the shopping was all finished, and their sleighs – er, cars – were piled high with packages, the credit union volunteers had managed to fulfill the wishes of over one hundred children. All but six of the kids would get their Christmas wish. “Those last few tags were really expensive items,” Anderson said regretfully. “Things like roller blades and Adidas pullovers.”

Last Thursday (Dec 20^th) the hard-working volunteers delivered about 170 gifts to the York County Shelter. It was a few days before Christmas, but none of the kids seemed to mind Santa arriving early.

"The staff in Sanford is a wonderful group of people… dedicated and community minded. I was very touched when I heard that they had selflessly decided to forego Secret Santa this year and donate to the York County Shelter," said Ocean Communities Administrator Sandy Kittridge. "But somehow it didn’t surprise me. They all pull together and make a wonderful team, both in work and out of work. I am very proud to say they are Ocean Communities staff."

"It was a rewarding experience for all those involved," agreed Ocean Communities’ Stephanie LeBrun.

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