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Another Christmas Season has come to a close and thanks to Findlay, Friends of Santa were
able to help many of those who would not have been able to make the season very bright for their children
without some help. Here are some of those wonderful folks!

Here we find (L to R) the lovely Keri Croy (Marathon employee), camera shy Susie,
Kevin and the very energetic Patty Gill. They are standing in front of
the Marathon tree in the Headquarters building downtown. Marathon is
a huge part of Friends of Santa year after year. We are truly blessed
that they keep taking part.

This is Kevin Rogers (Friends of Santa Helper Extraordinaire)
and Lisa Walker of Rowmark Inc. This was the second year that Rowmark participated
and Kevin is presenting Lisa with a Certificate of Appreciation. Susie always wants to
make sure her contributors know how much they are appreciated!

Here Kevin is presenting a Certificate to Kay Oler
of Olers Bar and Grill on Lima Ave.
If you haven't eaten at Olers, you are missing out!

Flag City Water joined us for the first time this Year. Welcome
aboard Sherri! Hope to see you again next year!

The VFW Post 5645 has been with us for several years now and
continue to be a vital part of our efforts.

This is at a meeting of the AMVETS Post Officers. A special thanks to Pat Enck. It was Pat's wife,
Marsha, who got the Amvets involved with us in 2010. Sadly, Marsha passed in 2011. In honor of her, Pat took care of every last tag left on the tree this year. God Bless you Pat

Once again a very Special Thanks to the employees and customers of
Gene Stevens Honda who held an extremely successful toy drive for Friends of Santa!
A lot of kids will found stuff under the tree because of you fine folks!

Not only did Bellacino's Restaurant do an outstanding job with their
Wishing tree again this year, but they threw a great Party for Friends of Santa
Families and fed everyone a delicious meal. Santa Claus showed up to ensure the kids (no matter how old they were) were taken care of this year! Click on the Thumbnails below and then use your return button to get back for the next picture...

Special Thanks to the employees of Gene Stevens Honda who held an extremely successful
toy drive for Friends of Santa! A lot of kids will have stuff under the tree because of you fine folks!

Special mention also needs to be given to the employees of Marathon Oil. Their desire to
put up a wishing tree in their offices downtown has already provided us with two
truckloads of presents. Way to go Marathon.

Cooper tire employees have stepped up again this year and the call for pick-up at the cafeteria
comes nearly daily! You guys and gals are truly special!

The Cooper Way : Do the Right Thing
Cooper People Open Hearts as Friends of Santa

Already well-known as a giving community, Cooper people outdid even their own customary
generosity in donations this year to the Friends of Santa Christmas charity program.

This year, Cooper Findlay people helped 764 individuals, or 39 more individuals than they helped last year.

It’s just one more example of Cooper people doing the right thing,
as “The Cooper Way” company creed states it.

Susie Malone, who organized the Findlay, Ohio-based Friends of Santa organization,
said, “It just blows me away every year, how much Cooper people really help this area.”

In 2007, as in prior years, Cooper far outranked other businesses and civic groups in support
for the charitable program. Donations by individuals, departments, and in cash collected on specially
designated Jeans Days stripped a Christmas tree placed in the cafeteria
of its roughly 80 wish lists several times.

Entire Cooper departments, in some cases, adopted families, went shopping and then delivered the gifts as a group.

In other cases, individual employees went above and beyond in helping the needy. Seeing a
little girl’s lone request for a new pair of jeans, a Cooper woman bought the girl not one,
but four pairs of jeans. A second Cooper employee fulfilled a small boy’s wish for a bag of
candy and turned it into an opportunity for some health education, adding a toothbrush to
the gift bag. A third employee received immediate gratification when he personally delivered
a much-longed-for bike to a deaf boy: As soon as the boy spied the man removing the bike from
his car and trundling it to the door, he ran up and started jumping, screaming with delight.

“Cooper people are always there, always ready to help,” Susie said. “Cooper people have the biggest hearts.”

Here a some of the things we are hearing from some of our sponsors this year.
You can see how rewarding their efforts were...

The delivery went well! We met at her sister’s home and put the packages in the car right
away. She was very thankful and seems to be a very warm and caring individual. Thanks
for the opportunity to share with others. God bless you for all the work you do!

Susie: We delivered the gifts last night and all went well. Mrs. **** was very appreciative.
Your program gives families like mine a wonderful way to help families in need at the holidays.
If you ever need any volunteers for anything else with your program please keep me in mind.

We have some clothing and a few toys already. I plan to pick a few other items up this afternoon.
I will call the mother to arrange a time for drop off. Thank you for the work that you and
your organization does---it is wonderful that you devote your time to helping others,
especially at such a busy time of year.

And here is a letter from a grateful family.

..
Hi Suzy! Joe M***** and family came over last night and I am overwhelmed with gratitude
at all the blessings they gave my children.
One of the greatest gifts was just spending time, coloring with, and playing with them.
But I cannot believe how much they gave us! 3 wrapped gifts each plus clothes, coats, hats
and mittens, diapers, wipes, formula and socks.
They also gave Jake an Elmo and Autumn a Disney baby doll plus a coloring and magnet
book while they were there. I am definitely going to write a formal letter thanking them
and you and I just cant wait till I am able to “pass it on” and pay it forward. They made what
was my most depressing year turn in to a magical and wonderful Christmas experience. I am so thankful!!!
I only wish that I could find a way to show them how much it all meant to me.
Is there anything I can do to help at all for you or the organization? Do you need anything
for the party on Sat? thanks for signing up my kids, I lost track of the invitation. The kids were
sick from Oct 26 till this past weekend but now they are healthy and we are really looking
forward to the party Sat. Take care and THANK YOU again!!!!

and another...

Dear Susie,
We received the money gift card from Kroger. I was amazed that we received an answer so quickly. We very
much appreciate your help. What a wonderful organization you are serving.
Bless you and Merry Xmas to you and your family

and the thank you's go on...
'
Friends of Santa,
How can we ever thank you for giving our children a Christmas. Bless all of you.
Our 5 children had the biggest smiles. And to you Susie you are the most caring person
I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Candice xxxxxx

This is to Friends of Santa
We were turned down because we were late at many places we had tried to get help at and
as you said, it was past your cut off but you said you would find us something.
AND YOU DID ! Friends of Santa gave my kids A HAPPY CHRISTMAS.
John Joe Mark and Christy had plenty to open from your organization.
What a wonderful thing you do. Happy New Year Mr & Mrs xxxxx

Susie you made a miracle happen for our family. I hope 1 day we can sponsor
a family and give the gift of joy back that you gave to us.
Mary xxxx

Friends of Santa
United Way told us to contact your place for help and we did. We wanted to
thank you for what we received everything fit and the toys were
perfect for our little ones. Thanks for what you do
Jeff xxxxxx

Our prayers were answered when I contacted Friends of Santa. The sponsor was
wonderful and even gave us extra stuff. Thanks to Cummings and Friends of Santa
xxxxxxxx

I work at Cooper and have seen the people come in and pick up the gifts from the tree.
One little lady always smiling and so friendly to all as she walked by. My husband and I
chose to sponsor a family this year . We talked to Susie by phone and she set us up with
a family of 4. We took the gifts over Christmas Eve and to watch that family so excited brought
tears to my husbands and my eyes. Thank you for letting us bring Joy to that family. It was a
great experience and we will be back next year to sponsor another family.
Steve and Carol xxxxx

Hi I wanted to take the time and let you know that my son and daughter loved their
bikes they received. Its hard being a single mom and making ends meet. I was so worried
this year. Thank you for inviting my kids to Santa House they had a blast meeting Muddy and
Madonna and seeing Santa and Mrs. Clause too.
xxxxxxx

hello we called you on Dec. 22 I was so depressed .We needed food . We had received some
can goods from another place but they were all expired, we also received a coupon for a
turkey but my son is allergic to turkey. You people told me to come over and you gave me 100 in Aldis coupons.
That bought us a lot of food .Wanted to say thank you for helping us this year. We won't forget you
Michelle xxxxx

Christmas 2006 is now in the history books. Things seemed to be getting off to a slow start. That was leading us
to believe that support might be scarce for 2006. Then, as if by magic, things just got crazy. The last couple
of weeks prior to Christmas Day became quite hectic.

We had a lot of new friends help us out. Among Santa's new friends were,
The Civitan Club, The Moose Lodge, Elaine's Main Street Deli, The VFW, Amvets, Fern Cafe, American Legion, Jerry's Drive-Thru,
Austin Grant Salon,The Crooked Needle, Covington Green Apartments, Miller's Luncheonette, Baker's Delight, IHOP Restaurant,
Mad hatter Promotions, Twice But Nice, Tom Ahl Hyundai and the 6th Street Kroger.

Special mention must also be given to Ken and Nancy Cohen, Mayor Tony Iriti, WBVI 96.7FM, FlagCityOnline.com,
The Courier and The Civitan Club, all of whom really stepped-up and made things happen.

Christmas 2005 was our biggest year to date. And, as has been the case every year since 1999, the number of families
helped was greatly increased. We were able to help upwards of 1400 families. Once again the Businesses and families
of Findlay and Hancock County have stepped up to the plate and made it possible for those less fortunate to have a Merry Christmas.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank
Karla Lewis of Flagcityonline.com and Ann Cole of WBVI Mix 96.7
for all of the wonderful help they provided with getting out the word last year.
God bless you ladies! We would also like to thank The Keith and Beth Morning Show from
WBVI Mix 96.7
Keith and Beth, we sure had a lot of fun doing your show with you from Fricker's and the
Fort Findlay Coffee and Doughnut Shoppe this year.

      Thank you so much for helping my little boy have a wonderful Christmas.
   God has seriously blessed those who need help with people who care so
   much as yourselves. This is the second year I have come to "Santa's helpers"
   for help. Once again you have come through and not only am I thankful I know
   that my son is also. He is only 19 months old but I couldn't have given him a
   better Christmas on my own. I just finished going to school full time for
   nursing school. With God's will I will pass my boards and get a
   successful job. Next year I would like to be a sponsor for Friends of Santa
   and help someone like you all have helped me!
        Suzie a special thanks to you for being such a warm-hearted person and
   always thinking of others. You give me inspiration
   to keep on striving in life. Even when one thing lets you down, keep on going
   because there is always something to strive for. I do believe that everyone has
   a purpose on this earth. You are a true natural at what you do. I love you!
   Thank you!!
      To all of "Friends of Santa" , Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
                                                                                                          Sincerely,
                                                                                                                Karri & Davyon

      Receiving gifts isn't the only thing that brings joy in the Christmas season.
   This statement is backed up by the following letter from one of our
    sponsors this year...

    Susie,
    I wanted to thank you for giving us this opportunity. My son and I had so
   much fun shopping, wrapping and delivering gifts for these two children.
   He has already decided he wants to do it again next year. May you be
   blessed as you continue to help bless others.
                                                               Sincerely,
                                                                    Anita (last name withheld)

A great time was had by all at Fricker's Dec. 6th,
with local radio personalities Keith and Beth from WBVI 96.7
Here are a couple of pictures.........

      THANKS AGAIN to everyone who is helping us by collecting
   items for the families, allowing us to put up Wishing Trees in their
   businesses, to those who 'adopted' one or more children or
   families and also, those who sent in donations!