Madison families find helping hand in tough times

The level of need among low-income Madison County families has gone up as the economy slows down.

“We’ve seen an increase in everything from requests for food assistance to requests for help paying utility bills,” said Robin Breckenridge, senior social worker with Madison County.

Despite such rising demand, the Santa Fund continues to help low-income children in Madison buy shoes, socks, coats, jeans and other needed items.

“It’s extremely helpful,” said Breckenridge, who coordinates the Santa Fund in Madison County. “It’s the one fund we can use to help families purchase those basic essentials.”

In past years, however, the Santa Fund has helped Madison County youngsters with other needs. A few years ago, for example, a Madison teenager relied on the Santa Fund to help him purchase a tuxedo for the high school prom.

Established in 1894, the Santa Fund collects donations to provide shoes, clothing, medicine and more to Charlottesville-area children in need.

The fund is sponsored by The Daily Progress and radio station WINA in conjunction with the United Way-Thomas Jefferson Area. It serves children in Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson and Orange.

The Santa Fund served 74 children in 36 families in Madison County during 2008. The county primarily spends its allocation on back-to-school vouchers that are distributed to children or their parents.

Shaele Wood, director of the volunteer center at the United Way, said the Santa Fund fills an important gap for the region’s rising number of families in dire financial straits.

“We are expecting to see a greater need for people to utilize the Santa Fund,” she said.

At the same time, donations appear to be holding steady, Wood said. It seems, she said, that contributors are digging a little deeper to help out as demand increases. The fund has already surpassed its $100,000 goal by more than $9,000.

Santa Fund envelopes are available at most area bank branches and at the offices of The Daily Progress, at 685 W. Rio Road in Albemarle County, and WINA, at 1140 Rose Hill Drive in Charlottesville. Donations should not be sent to or dropped off at either of these locations. Please mail all contributions to: Santa Fund, 806 E. High St., Charlottesville, VA 22902.