Home
 

2009 Santa Pal Project is underway! 

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”. What a perfect line from a true Christmas Classic. Every member of the Optimist Club of Asheville, N.C. truly and honestly believes this, too. The Santa Pal project began 73 years ago in the basement of one of the club members. The toys were donated or bought by the club members and then distributed to the underprivileged children of the Asheville and Buncombe County area. Throughout the years, the club, as well as, the need for Christmas toys, grew by leaps and bounds. The club members saw a drastic need to house the toys in a building in downtown Asheville, but did not have the funds available to pay for the rent. The merchants of the downtown area wanted to help play a role in helping the children and would help find a building each year to keep this project going.  Also jumping in to help were the local newspaper, radio, and television stations. With all of this publicity, Santa Pal became a household name around town at Christmas. We have been giving, not only toys, but much joy, laughter, many unimaginable surprises, and a tremendous amount of love to the children who need help at Christmas. As a club, we want to continue passing this “Most Wonderful Time” on to the families that are struggling to make ends meet. Santa Pal will always be here to keep the joy of giving very much alive and well.

 


Help Make Christmas a Wonderful Time

Due to so many unforeseen events in 2009, many more families will be in dire need this Christmas.  We are asking for our community to pull together and help us make this Christmas a very special time for everyone.  Please open your hearts and help us bring the joy that every child should have.  You can make this season much brighter with your donation and help make memories that will last a lifetime.  Last year we gave new toys to over 3000 children. 


The goal for 2009 is $50,000. All financial support is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your tremendous help and support.

The next few weeks will be an important time for us. We are sponsoring several events to help bring joy to a family this year. Please look at the events page and help make the activities a success. Tell friends and family about the program. Remember that our success depends on you!

Thanks from the Santa Pal Team.

Applications will be taken for children ages 2 – 12, beginning November 30, through December 14, 2009 . Office hours will be from:

OPEN @ 9:00 am

LUNCH -- 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

RE-OPEN: 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Santa Pal Application Office
Headquarters -- Upper Level of the Innsbruck Mall - 85 Tunnel Rd. - Asheville, NC 28805 

828-258-3230

Send Your Donations To:
Santa Pal
P.O. Box 1912
Asheville, N.C. 28812

Santa Pal Phone Number
828-258-3230

Email Us
forthekids@santapal.org

 

Press Release

10-15-2009

Applications will be taken for children ages 2 – 12, beginning November 30, 2009, through December 14, 2009.  Office hours will be from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

OPEN @ 9:00 a.m -12:00pm
LUNCH -- 12:00pm - 1:00 pm
RE-OPEN: 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Our headquarters will be in the Upper Level of the Innsbruck Mall - 85 Tunnel Rd. - Asheville, NC 28805. We will have signs in the windows. Each applicant must have a LEGAL picture ID when applying.  They can apply for their own children between the ages of 2 and 12.  Applicants must bring either the child's social security card, birth certificate, and proof that they receive Medicaid, free lunch, and any other type of assistance.  The applicants can only apply for toys if they haven't received help from any other organization., and if they do not speak English, they must have a translator with them.

Donations can be sent to:
Santa Pal
P.O. Box 1912
Asheville, N.C. 28812

Eblen-Kimmel Foundation

www.eblencharities.org


We are pleased to announce the co-sponsorship with the Eblen-Kimmel Foundation.  The Eblen-Kimmel Charities is a non-profit organization whose outreach extends throughout the counties of western North Carolina and through its numerous programs has helped thousands upon thousands of families each year with medical and emergency assistance.
Founded in 1991 in Asheville, NC by Joe Eblen, President of the Biltmore Oil Company, as the Eblen Foudation we has become one of North Carolina’s most innovative and effective social enterprises. Within its first decade, the Eblen Foundation has grown from assisting 300 families with one program during its first year to assisting tens of thousands of families with nearly 60 programs yearly throughout western North Carolina.

Charity serves as Santa's elves

By Barbara Blake Staff Writer / Asheville Citizens Times

Nov. 26, 2004 10:53 p.m.

ASHEVILLE - Mike Harris is a pretty tough dude. He's the guy whose shoulder other people lean on, a rock of the community, a tireless volunteer with the Asheville Optimist Club who can handle the work of five other men.

But when the destitute families line up each holiday season to apply for help from the Optimist Club's Santa Pal toy-giving project, Harris, chairman of the event, sometimes has to leave the building. 

Santa Pal phone number: 828-258-3230 Active Thanksgiving

Mike Harris – Chairman
forthekids@santapal.org

For more information on the Santa Pal Project or the Asheville Optimist Club, email us forthekids@santapal.org

 

Our friends at
www.965woxl.com

  

::Home      ::Events      ::Donate      ::Contact