SOMETHING “MAGICAL” IS HAPPENING AT MERCY HAVEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
 
 (Islip Terrace, NY) On December 16th 2008, Santa paid a visit to Mercy Haven, Inc., of Islip Terrace to deliver some very special presents to the good boys and girls. With the help of Christmas Magic, Mercy Haven, Inc., was able to supply the children of program participants with wonderful gifts to open on Christmas morning! 

Mercy Haven teamed up with Christmas Magic on Tuesday, December 16th, to provide 31 children in need with a delightful evening. Santa Claus made a special stop at Mercy Haven’s main office to deliver gifts, anything from Nintendo Wii game systems and BMX bicycles to necessities such as snow boots and warm winter coats, to the children that the agency provides housing for. For many of the youngsters, these will be the only gifts they will receive this holiday season.

The children, ranging in age from five-months-old to 15-years-old, each wrote letters (some with the help of a parent!) to Santa in advance to tell him of their hearts’ desires, and they each received a bag of personalized gifts to open on Christmas morning. The children also had the opportunity to chat with Santa, and sit on his lap to pose for holiday pictures.

Every year during the holiday season, Christmas Magic, a not-for-profit organization, will team up with Long Island businesses to help provide children in need with holiday gifts. A few weeks before Santa’s visit, the children came into Mercy Haven’s main office for a letter writing party. Christmas Magic and their corporate partners try to meet the desires of the children as best as they can. Christmas at Mercy Haven, Inc., was truly a “MAGICAL” experience with the help of some very special individuals, including Santa and his elves.
 
Established in 1985, Mercy Haven, Inc. is a non-sectarian, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) corporation. Mercy Haven’s mission is to engage and support Long Island’s most at-risk residents. Through advocacy, housing, supportive services, education and outreach we offer the community a place to experience and practice compassion. www.mercyhaven.org
 
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