It seems Santa Claus may have expanded his gift-giving operation at the North Pole to a franchise in the area and installed Anna Rehnquist as its manager.
Like Santa, it's Rehnquist's goal as director of Sharon-based Gifts for Kids Inc. to bring happiness to throngs of children she's never met on Christmas morning.
Gifts for Kids is an 18 year-old nonprofit organization that sponsors children from less fortunate families for holiday gifts.
Rehnquist works with social service agencies that serve Dedham, Norwood, Westwood, Walpole, Sharon and other towns to obtain a list of needy children.
And unlike Santa, however, Rehnquist doesn't magically lift a ton of toys out of a velvet sack.
She packages her presents in white and black trash bags each labeled with a child's first name. They fill her living room on Goddard Street in Sharon.
Rehnquist said the organization has already sponsored 950 kids with 160 kids still to go.
The process of creating a Christmas list starts in mid-November when she and others send out letters to residents and local organizations.
If a person wishes to contribute, Rehnquist sends them the name of a child to sponsor along with his or her age, clothing size and short wish list.
The final drop-off dates are scheduled for Dec. 15 from 4-6 p.m. at the VFW on Robbins Road in Walpole and Dec. 17 from 4-6 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Cottage Street in Sharon.
"People have been just great," Rehnquist said.
She said contributors are asked to purchase warm winter clothes for the children along with an item or two from the wishlist.
The winter clothes are a necessity, Rehnquist said, but they are still kids and look forward to toys and other gifts - from a new Barbie to an iPod.
"Whatever the sponsors feel they can afford," she said
Rehnquist said she knows people may not be able to donate as much this year because of the economy, but every little bit counts.
This year, she said, seniors on fixed incomes who often contribute to Gift for Kids were only able to contribute around $15, but that was still greatly appreciated.
"People still contribute as much as they can," Rehnquist said. "Anything anyone can do helps."
Peoples' overwhelming generosity surprises her every year, as well, she said, recalling an instance when a child asked for a TV and the sponsor gave a new top-of-the-line big screen set.
If sponsors can't find the time to shop, Rehnquist said, they can donate money and she or others will do the shopping.
So much shopping can be a time-consuming task for Rehnquist, who estimates she spends about three of four hours a day at stores during early December weeks.
"It's been crazy. Hopefully, my kids aren't expecting anything," she said, laughing.
In actuality, her home is brimming with the holiday spirit.
There are numerous Santa statuettes on her family room bookshelves. The staircase is lined with Nutcrackers and her kitchen banister has become home to a large collectible Christmas village.
She wouldn't have it any other way.
"It's a great feeling," she said. "We can't wait to do it."
Gift for Kids was started in 1990 by Sharon resident Pat McDougal as a small grassroots effort. Rehnquist became involved three years later when she moved to Sharon and befriended McDougal.
Rehnquist said she wanted to show her five children the value of giving.
"They really get that fact," she said. "It makes them feel like they're really doing something."
One of Rehnquist's daughters is excited to come home from college to help out with the Sharon drop-off while another of her daughters has made a habit out of "chasing down" her Sharon High School classmates for donation money.
They know they are not saving a Third World country, Rehnquist said, "but it's something."
That "something" has become bigger and bigger every year. Agencies, Rehnquist said, are giving her more names each season.
"You hate to say 'no,"' she said, but the added children and the current recession has meant that she has to be more frugal.
"I have to get out my very best shoppers," she said, laughing and explaining she and others have to search for bargains and spend time at multiple stores comparing prices.
In the past, Gifts for Kids has given out bags worth around $70, but the numbers will be smaller this year.
Sometimes, children ask for items that are too expensive for the organization to purchase, Rehnquist said. Many want pricey sports sweatshirts - but her organization tries the best it can to fulfill those wishes. She recalled an instance when a boy asked for a pair of Timberland boots, but they cost too much at regular price.
When Rehnquist was able to find a pair of the popular boots on sale, she said she nearly started crying.
"These are great kids. They deserve to have Celtics sweat shirts and iTunes cards," Rehnquist said, adding that her goal is to make them as happy on Christmas morning as her own kids are.
Anyone wishing to contribute is urged to contact Anna Rehnquist before Dec. 17 at 781-784-5971 or Arehnquist@aol.com. Money donations can be made at any time.
