One of Santa’s biggest helpers spreading holiday joy in the St. Louis region is a Jewish breast cancer survivor. For almost seven decades, Rita Swiener has been providing toys and more to under-resourced families so no child goes without a gift for Christmas or Hanukkah. Her efforts have led to the creation of Santa’s Helpers, an entirely volunteer-operated nonprofit. T&S spoke to Swiener to learn more about her dedication to ensuring every child experiences some holiday magic.
What is the mission of Santa’s Helpers?
It’s a very simple mission: no child is without a gift during the holiday season.
Where did the idea for the organization come from?
When I was at UMSL in the 1960s, I was president of the Evening College student council. A professor came up and asked the council to sponsor an under-resourced family for the holidays. A single mother with four kids had fallen through the cracks. I immediately said yes. The council didn’t want to do it, but agreed to that year. However, they declined the next year. I decided to continue supporting the family on my own.
How have you seen Santa’s Helpers grow?
For three years, I helped one family. Then, it just kept growing and growing. Today, we serve thousands of St. Louisans every year. Until the late 1980s, the organization operated out of my home. Now, we have a wonderful landlord, CK Supply. They go out of their way to ensure we have all the space and resources we need. Santa’s Helpers also has wonderful community partners that help us provide toys, including NorthPoint Development and Planter’s House restaurant. As word gets out, more and more people get involved.
How are families chosen to receive gifts?
Families are referred to us by social workers and nonprofit organizations. We used to have to go out and get names ourselves, but now they are sent to us. I think every social worker in St. Louis and parts of Illinois knows about Santa’s Helpers.
What types of toys and items are donated?
Every child gets toys based on their age and gender. For example, a 6-year-old girl may receive a Barbie and an activity kit as well as clothes and winter accessories, depending on what she asked for. Santa’s Helpers only provides brand-name toys. We don’t use dollar store items because we want the kids to be able to play with these toys for a long time. Each child also receives a stocking and books.
What are the greatest needs for the toy drive?
There’s not a toy we can’t use. We go through thousands of Barbies and Legos every year—we never have enough. A lot of toys are made for 3-year-olds and up, so we’re always desperate for things for 2-year-olds. Teenage boys can be hard to find gifts for, so that is another age group we have a greater need for.
For more information, visit santashelpersstl.com.
Photos courtesy of Santa’s Helpers
