This year for the first time they are using environmentally friendly backpacks made of 100% recycled cotton, and distributing Spanish and bi-lingual books as well.

“A Visit from Saint Nicholas” delivers backpacks filled with toys, books, a toothbrush, and library card to some of Tucson’s most disadvantaged youth in pre-kindergarten through second grade. The backpacks these children receive may be their only holiday gift, but more importantly, the books may be their very first personal book. These children reside in some of Tucson’s most impoverished neighborhoods, and the schools that they attend are chosen to participate in the program based upon the percentage of students eligible for the government-aided free lunch program. On average, 95% of the student bodies of schools taking part in “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” qualify for the free lunch program, meaning that they come from families that are classified as very low income.”

The location for assembling these backpacks is again at the World Care center at 3538 E. Ellington (south of E. 22nd Street,east of Palo Verde Ave.) in the former Julia Keen Elementary School location. The packing party starts at 5 p.m. and goes till they are finished.

I helped pack last year after I read an article in this Tucson Citizen newspaper about the event, and there were lots of enthusiastic people helping, of all ages. And if you want to be a “Saint Nicholas” at the local schools, you can volunteer for the delivery party as well on Dec.3rd from 10 to 4 p.m.

To volunteer please RSVP to Erin Lapidus, 881-3300, x 147 at the Volunteer Center, 940 S. Alvernon, or email her at elapidus@volunteersoaz.org. And please ask your family and friends to help as well.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!