“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.  He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.  Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus!  It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.  There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.  We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight.  The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.” (Editorial Page of The New York Sun, written by Francis P. Church, September 21, 1897)

The above paragraph is only a small excerpt from the original response written in 1897.  However, this was the answer eight year old Virginia had to have. This answer proved to her that the children that had told her there was no Santa were wrong.  This answer restored her faith in Santa and her Christmas spirit.  With restored faith and a smile she continued her life and continued her education.  She successfully graduated from Columbia with a Masters degree.  She taught for 47 years in the New York City school district and eventually finished her tenure as a principal.  Virginia lived to make a difference in others lives.  She died at the age of 81, living what most would call a long, successful and jovial life. 

Today, I am asking that you help me restore faith in Santa and Christmas spirit in not only one child’s eyes, but several.  Who are these children?  They are children that are in local hospitals, those children that won’t see a Christmas or Santa unless we provide it to them.  If the restored faith in one child can take her through a 47 year teaching degree, giving back to her community, living a full and happy life, just think what we can do with the restoration of Santa and the Christmas Spirit of many children! 

The difference that one gift during this season can make in the life of a child!  Please say you will help make that difference.  Each year, I ask for donations, and each year I am blessed with just enough toys to deliver to the local hospitals.  The twinkle in the eyes of the children, the smiles on their faces, the tears in the parents’ eyes as their child, and at times, children have a renewed faith in Santa and the Christmas spirit because of your generosity.

Is Santa real?  I have to agree with the editor of the paper, I believe Santa exists.   I get to see him every year; though he is never the same.  He takes the shapes of friends, family, co-workers and strangers who still care about others and give from their hearts.  Yes, my friends, Santa is you and as long as you care and want to make a difference in a child’s life, there will always be a Santa Claus!

Please be Santa this year for a child – make a difference in the life of a child.  The child you help today could be the child that helps you tomorrow.

Respectfully,

Bill Turney & Santa’s Hospital Helpers