NASHUA – Even though Christmas is more than two months away, Santa’s local elves are preparing for the big day as The Telegraph and United Way’s annual Santa Fund kicks off today.

For more than a half-century, the Santa Fund has been able to gift local low-income families a chance to relax during the holiday season by providing assistance with Christmas presents so no family has to choose between paying for living expenses or buying their children gifts.

As in recent years, the three local nonprofit agencies that will benefit from the fund are The Front Door Agency and The Salvation Army in Nashua and SHARE Outreach, located in Milford.

The United Way will again serve as the fiscal agent for the Santa Fund.

This year, even more so than in past years, assistance will be more important as inflation, food prices and electric service costs skyrocket.

“Now, more than ever, our neighbors need our help,” said Telegraph Publisher and Editor Matt Burdette. “With higher price tags on everything, inflation and rising rents, local residents are having trouble making ends meet for even the basic necessities. Through the Santa Fund, we hope we will be able to provide relief for as many people as possible.”

Gift cards – from a variety of locations, including Chunky’s Movie Theatre, Target, Walmart, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble – are again a high-need item, as are young men and teenagers’ clothing, as well as infant clothing and socks for people of all ages.

Other donations being sought include pajamas, books, mittens, winter coats, jeans, boots, graphic novels, legos for all ages and other toys.

“There are a lot of different opportunities to give during the holidays, including the Santa Fund,” said Mike Apfelberg, president of United Way of Greater Nashua. “It’s all part of the collective spirit of giving during the holiday season.”

“This is sort of the one Nashua-based community opportunity to give,” Apfelberg added. “It may not be that different from other giving ipportunities, but it is home-grown and of consequence. We really know where the needs are and the agency partners know where the needs are they focus in on those.”

As in the past, participating agencies are asking that donated gifts be new and unwrapped.

Santa Fund monetary donations will be accepted online again this year. Those wishing to make a monetary donation may use their MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express card on a secure online portal. The Web address for that portal is https://tinyurl.com/santafund2022.

Donations also may be made by texting 2022SANTA to 41444.

Checks may be made out to the United Way of Greater Nashua, with Santa Fund written in the memo line.

Cash donations may be dropped off at the United Way of Greater Nashua’s office.

This year’s online campaign thermometer is accessible at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/public/campaigns_keywords/graph2#/182343/fundraising/wall.

Finally, The Telegraph will again publish donors names in each Sunday’s edition beginning later this month. Donor names also will be listed under a special link on The Telegraph’s website – www.nashuatelegraph.com. The Telegraph also will serve as a drop-off site for donations of goods.

For additional information, contact Telegraph Publisher and Editor Matt Burdette at 603-594-1240 or mburdette@nashuatelegraph.com or United Way of Greater Nashua President Mike Apfelberg at 603-882-4011.

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HOW TO DONATE

• To contribute online, visit https://tinyurl.com/santa

fund2022.

• Text “2022SANTA” to 41444.

•Checks should be made payable to “United Way of Greater Nashua” with “Santa Fund” on the memo line, and can be mailed or

hand-delivered to United Way of Greater Nashua,

20 Broad St. Nashua, NH 03064.

• Cash donations should go to the same address

in a sealed envelope with

“Santa Fund” written on the outside.

• For additional information, contact Telegraph Publisher and Editor Matt Burdette at 603-594-1240 or mburdette@nashua

telegraph.com.