Santa Claus Shop In Summit: Helping Families In Need For 56th Year

SUMMIT, NJ — For its 56th consecutive year, the Santa Claus Shop of Summit will open its doors to provide complementary holiday shopping to more than 400 low-income families in the area.

The non-profit organization has a goal of gifting 700 children with presents this year and is hosting its 15th annual toy drive on Tuesday at Providence Bar & Kitchen.

Members of the community are encouraged to bring new unwrapped toys or gift cards for local families in need. Light appetizers and a cash bar will also be available at the event, which will go from 7 to 9 p.m.

Chaired by Summit residents, Sarah Fitzsimmons, Kristen Goldman, Kiera Mathey and Katie Mucci and co-chaired by Elizabeth Somerlot, Katie Orr, Alison MacMillan and Michelle Kalmanson, this year’s Santa Claus Shop will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, with families from Summit, New Providence and Berkeley Heights offered shopping hours by invitation only during the first week of December.

These individuals, who are referred to the organization by social service agencies, are invited to pick out holiday gifts for their immediate family members. The goal of the Santa Claus Shop is to allow low-income families to enjoy the holiday season without worrying about the financial burden.

The shop exists solely based on the donation of individuals, local businesses and volunteers. With the monetary donations, the Santa Claus Shop is able to purchase the gifts for families in need.

You can send a donation via Paypal here.

The organization is also hosting several other donation events throughout the month of November, which can be seen on their website.

This includes purchasing gifts off of their Amazon wish list, participating in a hat and mittens drive at the Summit Public Elementary Schools, a Summit shopping day at stores downtown this Thursday and much more.

You can follow the Santa Claus Shop on Facebook for more updates.

Have a news tip? Email remy.samuels@patch.com.