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Secret Santa fills gaps at Christmas

Photo Provided Aleatha Ellis, left, and Tabby McClung hold presents for children in the Secret Santa program.

PARKERSBURG — In 1995, Laurea Ellis and her grandmother started a Secret Santa program for children who were not receiving presents at Christmas.

These children were involved in a traumatic situation, such as being separated from their parents, said Ellis.

Eleven Wood County children received Christmas gifts that first year.

This year, Secret Santa provided Christmas presents to 193 Wood County children, thanks to the generosity of area residents.

Ellis’ grandmother, “Nema,” passed away in 1999 but her generosity is still felt in the Secret Santa program.

In her will, “Nema” provided $200 to be given each year to the Secret Santa program to buy gifts for children, Ellis said. “Nema” is Ellis’ nickname for her grandmother and the name Ellis requested for this story.

“We started this together and she ( “Nema”) wanted the program to continue,” Ellis said.

Ellis is social service coordinator with the state Department of Health and Human Resources. She obtains the names of children who are candidates for Secret Santa through the DHHR, but the program is supported by sponsors and private donors.

These donors and sponsors get a list of sizes, needs and wants of the children and then purchase the requested Christmas presents (clothes, toys) or have someone else purchase them.

Ellis, her daughter Aleatha, 11, and others wrap the gifts, which are picked up by the families at the DHHR office or delivered to the homes.

Aleatha Ellis has been helping with Secret Santa since she was 6 years old. She spent Friday, a day off from school, wrapping gifts for Secret Santa.

“This is a generous community,” willing to help the less fortunate, Laurea Ellis said.

Three sponsors have remained with the program since 1995.

Ellis said the Secret Santa program is her passion. “I am humbled to do it,” she said. Ellis also coordinates the selection of families for Shop with a Cop.

Tabby McClung, a DHHR employee, works tirelessly on the Secret Santa program, said Ellis. “Her passion and energy help to make this program a success,” Ellis said.

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