Our Story
On December 7, 1989, I read a newspaper article about the "Dear Santa" letters that the post office receives each year during the holidays. I was struck by the words and thoughts of the children in their letters. I had never taken time to consider that so many children don't have the opportunity to enjoy Christmas, as I remember it. I wondered what I could do to help some of these children.
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With the help and support of a few family members and friends, we raised $1,000 in 5 days and helped 8 families with 25 children that year. We purchased toys and games for each child, as well as some new clothing and included food baskets for their families.
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Since then, we have expanded our Delaware Valley Region to South Jersey (1995) and created a new chapter in Bowling Green, Ohio (2008). Across both regions, we have raised over three quarters of a million dollars and helped over 6,000 children in over 2,000 families.
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Founder,
James Szalejko
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Send a Letter
Delaware Valley Region
Bowling Green Region
P.O. Box 471
West Chester, PA 19381
(610) 630-3929
P.O. Box 513
Bowling Green, OH 43402
(419) 419-4940
"Request Letter" Guidelines
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Give brief outline of the family’s current situation
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Parent’s/Guardian's Name(s), Full Address, Phone Number, ,alternate phone number (optional), alternate contact person (optional), E-mail (optional)
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Provide Names, Ages, and Gender of all the Children and grade in school
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Provide Sizes for Shirts, Pants, Shoes
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Tell us what children like (e.g. Sports, Dolls, Board Games, Legos, Action Figures etc.)
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Add any other information you feel will be helpful for your child(ren). Please let us know of any Special Needs circumstance
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Please share with us how you heard about the Dear Santa Society
If you or someone you know is in need of our assistance, please send us a letter via US mail or email (optional).
All submissions must be received by 11/14/2025.
Donations can also be made through PayPal or the United Way
United Way Donor Choice Number: 08890
Pursuant to an IRS determination, The Dear Santa Society is a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code 501(c) (3) and all contributions and donations are tax deductible.
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© 2018 by Matthew Matkowski