Silent Santa elves busy wrapping gifts

Silent Santa is in its 10th year of providing necessities at Christmas throughout Gonzales County based on donations through Gonzales, Waelder and Nixon-Smiley school districts as well as the generous donations from residents, businesses and organizations in Gonzales County.

“We select the kiddoes based on information from teachers and then go out and provide necessities for as many children as we can,” said Silent Santa acting CEO Jennifer Miller, who is also a first responder with EMS. “Toys are also donated through other organizations.”

Silent Santa operates with the help of teachers from each school district in Gonzales County, who – second to family – have the most insight in to the needs of the children they work with. After receiving nominations from the teachers, Silent Santa contacts the children's parents to go over specific needs and to get the sizes of clothing and shoes for that child and other children in the household.

Silent Santa purchases necessities for each child, such as clothing, coats, jackets, shoes, socks and undergarments.

"We believe each child deserves a toy, as well," Silent Santa said.

According to Silent Santa, a toy for each child would not be possible if not for several local businesses that hold toy drives each year.

One person who helped with Silent Santa this year is 13-year-old Grace Morgan, who is in her second year of funding Gonzales County’s Silent Santa. This year, Grace raised $5,000 through a bake sale with the First United Methodist Church.

Some of you may remember reading about Grace when she first raised money to donate toys to kids through GCAM years ago.

Silent Santa is accepting donations. Donations may be: taken to Gonzales County EMS, located at 1703 St. Joseph Street, Gonzales; mailed to Silent Santa c/o Gonzales County EMS at P.O. box 904, Gonzales, Texas 78629; made by PayPal at Silentsanta.org; or made through the Silent Santa Facebook page.