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__﻿ S. anta C. laus A. ssociation __ **// 'TIS THE SEASON TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE //** DID YOU KNOW? Do you know what the average American makes today? How about the unemployment rate and how it has raised over time? Well, the average American over 25 only makes $32,000 a year. This number unfortunately has not improved in a while. The unemployment rate too, has gone downhill. For example, in Westmoreland County, PA, the unemployment rate has gone up from 4.5% in 2007, to 7.5% in 2009. It is predicted in future years that the average income will go down and the unemployment rate will continue to rise. [|Unemployment Effects] [|Statistics] (Mike's links)

= Our Purpose =

The purpose of the Santa Claus Association is to give just a small portion of what we have to those who are less fortunate than us, but we cannot do it alone. Through donating to one of our many nationwide locations, you can help the homeless by either donating money, food, presents, or by volunteering some of your time. Our organization can help connect you to many other organizations where you can donate hours of volunteer work to help the homeless. The following site can help you find an outlet that's good for you. [|Find a Volunteer Service] (Eli's link)

What Can You Do? Just $1 can provide 5 meals for the homeless, $10 can provide full clothing of one person, and one present can make a child smile again. These are the simple things that most take for granted. Our organization asks of these things so that families without them can enjoy them on christmas eve and christmas day. To the homeless a hot meal and someone that cares is a great gift. We encourage everyone who can to donate in the form of money, presents, food, and/or time volunteering because of the increase in unemployment and homelessness that the United States is currently facing. [|Food cost statistic] (Ben's link) -With your help we can provide a nice facility that will help the homeless all year round instead of the seasonal distributing centers.

=﻿= //**__Who does this Help?__**// The Santa Claus Association is set out to help fmailies in need. We help those who cannot provide enough money for food or presents during the holiday season.

//**__About Us __**// The goal of the Santa Claus Association is to supply families with presents and hot food during the Christmas season. We help tens of thousands of people each year with presents and food. Our main distributing center is in the city of Murrysville in Westmoreland County but we have 36 other locations across Pennsylvania. Our facilities are run mainly by volunteers and help is always welcome. We accept donations in the form of presents, food, and money.