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ENLARGE
GLENDALE — Soon after Betty Stanfill became city recorder in 2001, she noticed some Glendale residents had a hard time paying their monthly water and sewer bills.
They were mostly elderly folks who lived alone and were people not accustomed to asking for help or a handout.
Stanfill came up with an idea of having a group of secret Santas spread some holiday cheer by paying another resident's water or combined water and sewer bill during December.
The gifts are provided anonymously, unless the giver chooses to be identified. The recipients receive a note telling them their bill has been taken care of and wishing them “Happy Holidays.”
“Some of them come in with tears in their eyes. They can't imagine that anyone would do that for them,” Stanfill said.
The city charges a minimum $67 per month for water and sewer service. People who live outside the city limits can obtain water service for $40.50 per month.
Stanfill doesn't like to call attention to herself. She says simply that she thought the gesture would help brighten the holidays for those struggling to make ends meet.
Last year, 28 people took part and made secret Santa payments. The program has grown every year since she started it around 2002, Stanfill said.
Most chose someone they knew needed help, although some let city workers choose the recipient.
In those instances, names of people known to officials as ones who could use the help are placed in a hat and then chosen at random.
“We want it to be as impartial as possible,” Stanfill said.
The deadline to pick up a payment with the December bills is Nov. 30. Some donors don't come in until after that. Those payments are applied to January bills.
“That's when people are trying to pay for their holiday purchases. So they can use help then,” she said.
To become a secret Santa, contact Stanfill at 836-2106.
• You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at jsowell@nrtoday.com.
They were mostly elderly folks who lived alone and were people not accustomed to asking for help or a handout.
Stanfill came up with an idea of having a group of secret Santas spread some holiday cheer by paying another resident's water or combined water and sewer bill during December.
The gifts are provided anonymously, unless the giver chooses to be identified. The recipients receive a note telling them their bill has been taken care of and wishing them “Happy Holidays.”
“Some of them come in with tears in their eyes. They can't imagine that anyone would do that for them,” Stanfill said.
The city charges a minimum $67 per month for water and sewer service. People who live outside the city limits can obtain water service for $40.50 per month.
Stanfill doesn't like to call attention to herself. She says simply that she thought the gesture would help brighten the holidays for those struggling to make ends meet.
Last year, 28 people took part and made secret Santa payments. The program has grown every year since she started it around 2002, Stanfill said.
Most chose someone they knew needed help, although some let city workers choose the recipient.
In those instances, names of people known to officials as ones who could use the help are placed in a hat and then chosen at random.
“We want it to be as impartial as possible,” Stanfill said.
The deadline to pick up a payment with the December bills is Nov. 30. Some donors don't come in until after that. Those payments are applied to January bills.
“That's when people are trying to pay for their holiday purchases. So they can use help then,” she said.
To become a secret Santa, contact Stanfill at 836-2106.
• You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at jsowell@nrtoday.com.
