If if you do not have children for this incredible program…..it’s the holidays, help take us one step closer to a cure.
SANTA CLAUS CAN PEN A PERSONAL NOTE TO YOUR CHILD THIS CHRISTMAS
Jolly holiday fundraiser benefits Diabetes Research Institute Foundation
New York, NY (November 23, 2012) – Yes, Virginia (and Emma, and Maria, and Max, and Willie…), there is a Santa Claus. To prove it, ‘Ole Saint Nick himself will send a personalized letter – complete with a North Pole stamp – to any child, in any part of the world for a minimum $15.00 donation to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. This jolly holiday fundraiser kicks off this year on Friday, November 23rd at www.SantaClausDRI2012.org and is certain to light up faces brighter than the star on the tree.
(Kids from last year holding their letters)
The personalized letters, which can be sent by parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or any other family member or friend, can include all kinds of information, like a reference to any toy, game, iPad or techno-gadget on the child’s wish list or whether he/she has been naughty or nice this year. Santa can even tell them that he knows how well they have been managing their diabetes. The fundraising campaign is open to all families everywhere, not just those affected by diabetes. However, with almost 26 million Americans affected by the devastating disease, it is likely that almost everyone knows someone with diabetes.
To get the hundreds, even thousands of letters out to children by Christmas day, a legion of Santa’s “elves” are standing by around the country, according to volunteer chairwoman Marie Jarcho.
“We had a tremendous response the first time last year. This is a wonderful and easy way to brighten a child’s Christmas and they loved it. The more information that parents or others supply on the website, the more personal Santa’s letter will be,” she said. “As a mother of a son with type 1 diabetes, it is my hope that people will give what they can to help the Diabetes Research Institute find a cure.”
After the event last year, one mother wrote that her child was so thrilled with the personalized letter that she slept with it every night until Christmas. The DRI Foundation is hoping for a greater response this year.
“This initiative is all about making children happy by receiving a personal letter from Santa Claus. We also know that during the holidays, millions of children and their families affected by diabetes wish for a cure. Our goal is to make that wish come true, and we’re grateful to be able to move a step closer with the funds raised through fun programs like this,” said Robert A. Pearlman, president and CEO of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation.
To send a child a letter from Santa Claus, visit www.SantaClausDRI2012.org. The deadline for participation is midnight on December 18th.