Santa has lots of helpers this year

PROVO — Hundreds of Utah County residents are stepping into Santa's boots this holiday season, planning Christmas surprises for thousands of children they've never met.

The 23rd annual Sub for Santa program is in full swing — and holiday cheer appears to be extra strong this year.

"We've had a fantastic response," said Bill Hulterstrom, president and CEO of United Way of Utah County, which sponsors the program. "It seems that people are volunteering earlier and wanting to do more than previous years."

As of Wednesday, more than 400 volunteers had already agreed to provide presents for approximately 2,800 children, said Hulterstrom, and numbers of both givers and receivers increase daily.

At this time last year, 2,627 children had sponsors for the holiday season.

Santa subs purchase two items of clothing, two new toys and one book for each child in the family they sponsor and deliver the gifts before Christmas Eve.

While Sub for Santa has always been able to find a sponsor for each child who qualifies, most years end in a last-minute scramble to gather enough volunteers. The number forecast for this year looks much brighter, said Jenn Kilsterom, director of the program.

"So far, as of today, things are looking much better than in years past," she said.

Because of the community's response, United Way extended the deadline for families to apply for a Santa. On Wednesday night, about 50 adults packed into the last workshop explaining the program and how to apply.

Attendees filled out an application form and provided information to verify the ages of their children, who must be between 18 months and 14 years old to qualify. Araine Scorsone, an Orem resident, came to the meeting hoping to find a way for her 6-year-old son, Jesce, to receive a Christmas surprise.

"I don't want to crush his hopes in Santa, and I can't afford (presents)," she said.

Scorsone, who heard about the program for the first time this year, said she's looking forward to participating in the future as a volunteer.

"I can't wait until I'm on the other end of it and helping," she said.

Like Scorsone, many of those who apply are first-timers. Every year, about 38 percent of the families who participate have never received assistance through Sub for Santa, Hulterstrom said.

"Families are not in this program for life," he said.