Christmas, they say, is for kids. But for many children, Christmas is the saddest time of the year.

So it was with a boy named Craig who wrote a letter to Santa Claus in December 1976. That letter never reached Santa, but it did reach a restaurant in Seattle called Francisco’s. And it reached people’s hearts. From that night in 1976, the Forgotten Children’s Fund (FCF) has grown into a group of dedicated people who enhance the true spirit of Christmas through the gift of sharing.

Every year, FCF volunteers work together to raise money to purchase, wrap, and deliver gifts to needy children and their families. Because of supplier contributions and purchasing relationships, each dollar contributed to the fund is stretched to it’s fullest.

Each child receives a new winter coat, a bicycle (if desired) and safety helmet and at least three toys of their choice. Food staples and warm blankets for the family are also incorporated into the package. In some cases, help extends beyond presents to include grocery, fuel or utility expenses. The gifts are delivered by Santa Claus himself and his team of volunteer elves.

Last year, 53 volunteer Santas and 300 elves delivered Christmas to 2,943 children from 847 families in Northwest Washington, donated 700 extra bicycles to dependents at Army and Navy bases and to Native American tribes in the area.

As a volunteer myself, I want to thank the Microsoft Corporation for their donation of 38 transport vans, and 38 volunteer drivers, for our deliveries to the children’s homes this year.

This is Microsoft’s sixth year as a partner in our annual drive. FCF depends on the caring and generosity of corporate donations like those from Microsoft to enable us to continue to deliver hope to the children of Western Washington.

Don McGehe, Kirkland (former longtime Redmond resident)