Santa Claus, Inc. Brings the Spirit of Giving All Year Around

SAN BERNARDINO>> Santa Claus, Inc., an all year around charity organization based in San Bernardino, put big smiles on the faces of children Saturday, Oct. 29. Santa Claus, Inc. partnered with the San Bernardino Police and County Sheriff’s Departments to host their 2nd Annual Head to Toe event. Children could receive pairs of casual shoes, new bed linens, hats, toys and participate in more than 100 raffles. Santa Claus, Inc. provides new toys, quality clothing, new books, school supplies and personal care kits for underprivileged children. In 2015, the charity was able to provide for 16,000 children through its holiday distribution, but provide to 80,000 children all year around. Throughout the year Santa Claus, Inc. works with other nonprofits, shelters, the County of San Bernardino HOPE (Homeless) program and other community groups to provide for underprivileged families and children. At the Head to Toe event, a new bin was unveiled in a ribbon cutting ceremony, filled with items to help those in need as part of a new program called “Project Step Up.” “After Hours, if a police officer finds a homeless family or children that need assistance the officer can come here and get whatever they need from this bin,” said Karen DiCarlo, Executive Director at Santa Claus, Inc. DiCarlo continued to explain the program also has a phone number officers can call that can help arrange a hotel for the family to stay in for one or two nights. This gives them a place to stay till they can be put in contact with other agencies that can provide services for a shelter. “This is not a long time fix but it’s a short time fix to get them safe overnight if you find a family, like a 20 year old with a baby, there's a chance of something happening to them,” DiCarlo said. Santa Claus, Inc. gained an award of recognition from the San Bernardino Guatemalan consulate for their charitable work in the community. They began working together three months ago providing clothes, shoes and necessities to the people. “They had participated in one of our Independence events, providing for my people, I came to thank them on behalf of the community,” said Bill Munoz, the consul for San Bernardino. Santa Claus, Inc. will continue their charitable efforts with the San Bernardino Guatemalan consulate and helping underprivileged children all year around.