By Christopher Tangney
Globe correspondent
We may be living in a digital world, but there is an old saying that is still true: reading is fundamental.
“I loved reading the books I received last year that were All on a waffle, The Cricket in Times Square and Charlotte’s web, ” a 10-year-old girl wrote to Globe Santa.
Gift packages from Globe Santa have long included books, and the young person’s letter leaves no doubt as to why that tradition is important.
“These stories inspired me and showed positive traits such as friendship, perseverance, faith and being grateful,” she wrote.
Her 7-year-old sister also read all three books and crossed The trumpet of the Swan from her list while she was running. The 7-year-old also wanted to show Globe Santa the acrostic poem she recently wrote.
‘Winter is waiting for us!’
Wonderful, white snow cover,
In the cool, cold and frozen air.
Nature brings both danger and joy,
The friendly snowman is waiting for us.
Always so warm in my thick jacket,
Run free in the thick snow cover.
A 12-year-old girl from Roxbury explained why she wanted to find books among her holiday gifts.
“I love reading a lot, so I think I need books to expand my vocabulary,” she wrote.
Her 10-year-old sister added her own note, suggesting she keeps her career options open: She wants to grow up to be either a “make-up artist or a dentist”, and therefore wants toys that “help with beauty and teeth.”
And there is a single mother from a city west of Boston who wrote to Globe Santa to help her 6-year-old son.
She has been out of work since the pandemic began, saying the gifts she received last year were a blessing.
“[My son] believe in Santa Claus, so every time I receive your amazing gifts I wrap them up and write ‘From Santa Claus’. He loved the monster truck you got him last year and the books are great too because he has autism and he loves to read, ”she wrote.
These three families will join more than 17,000 others across Greater Boston to receive assistance from Globe Santa this holiday season.
For 66 years, Globe Santa, a program of the Boston Globe Foundation, has provided toys, books, games, and other gifts to families in need during the holidays.
In all, some have benefited from the annual fund effort.
You can help a child enjoy a happier holiday by donating to Globe Santa by email, phone or online at globesanta.org.
Christopher Tangney can be contacted at [email protected]