Lori Trahan, Sokhary Chau team up for Sun Santa

By: Melanie Gilbert 

LOWELL — U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, a woman who never seems to sleep, joins Lowell’s equally indefatigable Mayor Sokhary Chau on Saturday to raise money for Sun Santa.

The formidable duo will co-host the Third Annual Holiday Drive & Drop event that takes place in the parking lot of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, 657 Middlesex St., from noon to 2 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a check for The Sun Santa Fund and/or a new, unwrapped toy for local children.

Sun Santa Coordinator Nancy Roberts says a member of Congress has never hosted an event for the fund.

“This is a first for Sun Santa,” Roberts said. “The visibility will be awesome.”

Trahan, a Lowell native, is a frequent and recognized presence in the community. She popped up with her younger daughter at WCAP’s Salvation Army of Greater Lowell Radiothon last Saturday, and is often spotted at local festivals and community events throughout the year.

As a parent, Trahan said making Christmas bright for area families was more important than ever given the hardships some parents are facing due to rising heating prices and other costs.

“There’s nothing a parent wants to see more on Christmas Day than a bright smile on their children’s faces,” Trahan said. “The work Sun Santa and its supporters have done over the last 35 years to bring that joy to families during the holidays has been truly remarkable. I couldn’t be prouder to be the first sitting Congresswoman to partner with Mayor Chau and Sun Santa to make sure families across our region have a warm meal on their table and presents under the tree.”

In 1988, Lowell Sun Charities, which has been lending a holiday helping hand to local families since 1947, realized that local families were struggling to provide Christmas gifts for their children and to put a holiday meal on their table, and founded The Sun Santa Fund to address those needs.

Saturday’s event — and several other fundraisers — benefit the charity, which provides holiday assistance to local families in the 23 communities served by The Sun. All the money raised allows more than 1,200 families to open presents on Christmas Day. Since its founding, Sun Santa has provided more than $2.1 million to help local families celebrate Christmas.

As in years past, fundraisers have ranged from baked potato fests held by the employees of Enterprise Bank and elaborate themed gift baskets designed by the employees of Tufts Medicine/Lowell General Hospital, to Sun Santa student elves from Lowell High School passing out treats during the City of Lights Parade in Downtown Lowell.

The folks of Westford Remembers/Team Forever Young hosted their traditional Dining for a Cause event at Evviva Trattoria on Thursday, with gift basket raffle proceeds benefiting Sun Santa.

From Lowell to Littleton, and at every level in the community, people have organized and contributed to the signature holiday effort.

Chau said he’s looking forward to Saturday’s drive-and-drop event with Trahan, which he said is needed more than ever. Saturday’s toy drive will provide gifts to families through the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, Coalition for a Better Acre and the Roberto Clemente Baseball League

“This year, we are working hard to help the victims of the post-Thanksgiving flood,” Chau said. “There are still families and individuals displaced through the Christmas season. Let’s all come together and help our neighbors. I encourage everyone to please donate funds if you are able. It can be any amount — a little from everyone can go a long way.”

Right before Trahan and Chau’s event, state Rep. James Arciero helps to continue the Sun Santa season of giving with his annual Drive-in & Drop-off event at Littleton Police headquarters, 500 Great Road, from 10 a.m. to noon. Attendees are asked to bring a check made out to The Sun Santa Fund and/or a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

It’s a tradition Arciero has been holding since 2009, raising thousands of dollars for families in need and distributing countless toys to children to make “their holiday season a little bit brighter,” he said.

“I’m especially excited to join with Littleton Police Chief Matthew Pinard and the Littleton Police Department to host this year’s Toys for Tots & Drop/Sun Santa Fund event,” Arciero said. “It means a lot to me to give back to the families and communities I represent who need a little help during the holiday.”