WATERFORD — A year after a program designed to help needy children in Waterford was resurrected, the Waterford Santa program remains an important support link for the community.

Melissa Lessard-York said she found out just before Christmas 2011 that the Waterford Santa program, initiated by Nancy Engdahl many years ago, had been discontinued and the applicants picked up by the Oxford County Christmas for Teens and Christmas for Kids program.

“There were several inquiries at the town office about community members wanting to help Waterford children as they had in past,” Lessard-York said of how the program was resurrected last year. “The town office gave interested people my telephone number, and we got organized.”

“Nancy Engdahl has helped tremendously getting us started,” Lessard-York said of the meetings she had with Engdahl last year and the support she continues to give this year.

Lessard-York said two families were helped last Christmas, and a last-minute donor shopped for a child in need along with others.

The anonymous donor has taken on a family of four children this year, and another donor has asked if there are more presents to be purchased, Lessard-York said.

Lessard-York said that in October applications were provided to families in the Waterford and Harrison elementary schools. The parents were asked to list their children’s ages and their wants (toys) and needs (coats,boots, winter gear, etc.). Applications were also available at the Waterford Town Office and Waterford library.

By the mid-November application deadline 15 families had applied.

“The community has generously picked up most of the requests,” she said.

There are only 15 items that still need purchasing, she said.

Lessard-York said the program relies on people to pick items from a gift card request.

Engdahl co-hosted a community supper at the Wilkins House last month and asked the Waterford Santa group to attend to help raise funds, Lessard-York said.

“Most, if not all, of the attendees picked up multiple requests,” she said. There is a still-needed list for anyone who would like to help purchase a present.

Lessard-York said the program also accepts financial donations and has held fundraisers, such as the community supper and this summer’s quilt raffle fundraiser, to purchase the gifts for the program recipients. 

“There are still children who need gifts. If people still want to help, they can contact me at 583-2446 or email waterfordsanta@yahoo.com,” Lessard-York said.

ldixon@sun journal.com.