Community Spotlight: Valley Santa

And just like that, we’ve arrived at the 2024 holiday season and what is likely to be Wilkes-Barre POWER!’s final community spotlight of the year: Valley Santa!

This is an organization that you just know if you’re from Northeastern Pennsylvania. Since 1984, Valley Santa has been providing needy Luzerne County children with toys at Christmas. The philosophy is that life circumstances should not prevent any child from enjoying this season of joy and giving just like everyone else.

Valley Santa is a non-profit that uses all monetary donations it receives to buy and deliver gifts to children throughout Luzerne County at Christmastime. Volunteers also give their time to the organization to shop for toys early in the mornings at Boscov’s department store in Wilkes-Barre. The store provides discounts to Valley Santa shoppers as well as wrapping areas and wrapping paper prior to the toys being sent out to children.

On Wednesday, December 4, Wilkes-Barre POWER!–in conjunction with the ELEVATE Young Professional Council, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce , and other local chambers–will host the fourth annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Party at Wilkes-Barre’s THINK Center at 5:30pm to raise funds for Valley Santa.

In the lead-up to this event, Wilkes-Barre POWER! was fortunate enough to speak with Sarah Borland–attorney, vice president of the Valley Santa board, and coordinator of the toy drive–who shared her insights into this initiative with us.

How did you become involved with Valley Santa?

Sarah Borland: My parents [attorneys Kim and Ruth Borland of The Law Offices of Borland & Borland, LLP] started Valley Santa in 1984 with a group of other volunteers, so I have literally grown up in the organization. It has always meant Christmas to me to volunteer and work on Valley Santa. I lived in New York for more than a decade, but I always came home to work on the program. When I moved back permanently, I stepped into a larger position.

What changes have you seen in Luzerne County over the years regarding access to this program?

Sarah Borland: About six years ago, we made a concerted effort to serve the Hazleton area, which wasn’t fully served before. From that effort, we have seen increased numbers from the southern part of the county. We work hard to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the county, and we have grown every year.

Last year, we served 5,400 children. The year before, it was 4,980, and we are seeing an increased need this year as we have already shopped for 2,000 kids.

What are Valley Santa’s primary challenges?

Sarah Borland: Our numbers have increased year to year, so we would like to see our fundraising do so, as well. We could never do what we do without the hundreds of people who volunteer their time to make sure children have the Christmas they deserve.

_________________________________________________________________________

You can donate to Valley Santa directly on their website. The organization accepts PayPal donations or by mail to PO Box 5276, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703. You may also volunteer your time in multiple ways by contacting Valley Santa at its help line at 570-829-1341 or on its contact page.

Also, note well, friends, this message from the Valley Santa website: “If you or a family you know living in Luzerne County is in need, requests are made for help by sending a letter to Valley Santa that is co-signed by a clergy member or social worker to Valley Santa PO Box 5268 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703. Please note that toys are purchased for children twelve years and younger.”

Thank you to Sarah Borland for speaking with us for this community spotlight! Wilkes-Barre POWER! is honored to co-host the fourth annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Party this Wednesday, December 4, at 5:30pm at Wilkes-Barre’s THINK Center to help raise funds for Valley Santa.

We hope to see you there, for a good cause!

_________________________________________________________________________

Written by Michael Ruth

Michael is a professional writer and digital marketer whose areas of expertise include branding content, community marketing, and SEO. He is the founder and CEO of 1900 Digital Marketing LLC and the director of content marketing at Wilkes-Barre POWER!