CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — For more than 20 years, Direct Effect Charities has helped to answer thousands of letters to Santa from Chicago Public Schools students.
Michelle DiGiacomo is the charity's founder and executive director, and she said some of the requests are heartbreaking.
“A few years back, some child asked for $25 to help his dad pay rent, because his dad was sick and laid off,” she said.
DiGiacomo said there's generally a $30 cap on gifts, but that year, a generous donor paid the family's rent for the entire year.
This year, the charity received 5,000 letters, and 250 are still unanswered.
DiGiacomo is hoping more donors will step up before their Dec. 19 deadline — so that every child will get a gift for Christmas.
“The little, small things that happen to them when they're young can carry on with them through adulthood and really has the power to change their life,” she said.
DiGiacomo said for those who can’t answer letters, each $30 donation will allow her team to purchase a gift for a child. The thought of not answering all 250 remaining letters brings DiGiacomo to tears.
“My heart is breaking, and I'm trying as best I can,” she said. “I'm doing everything I can. I have to get those letters done.”
She's now hoping for a Christmas miracle to get the remaining letters answered in time.
Anyone interested in helping with Direct Effect Charities’ efforts can learn how to volunteer on this page.
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