The results are in: 509 individuals from 362 Branford families received gifts and donations through Branford Counseling Center (BCC) “Secret Santa” program in December.

The secret to the annual program’s success is combination of staff and volunteer support, teamed with community contributions, said Liz Nace, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and BCC Compliance Specialist. But perhaps more than most, BCC’s Sharon Patterson and Kathy Nelson top the list of Secret Santa helpers, said Nace.

“They are the two main people, working with a team of volunteers, who helped us make Christmas happen for over 300 needy Branford families,” said Nace. “They did an amazing job helping these families out and finding donors – businesses, individuals, families, churches, and civic groups – who all went out and gathered presents. It is really an incredible, heartwarming thing.

Patterson is BCC’s Medical Billing Specialist and has been the Secret Santa program director for ten years. Nelson, a recently retired Branford Public School’s kindergarten teacher of 39 years (Tisko) has been volunteering as program coordinator for the past three years.

As flattered as Patterson and Nelson are to be recognized for helping out, they are quick to point to many others who help.

“We had 29 volunteers who logged almost 600 hours of time to make this program a success,” said Patterson. “We had 60 donors who gave generously to the program and 138 donors who gave gifts matched to families with specific needs. We were also up in the number of checks and donations we received, so that we could buy the gifts we needed.”

Patterson adds some families have made it a tradition to get involved in giving to BCC’s Secret Santa, such as the “Christmas Caddy” effort organized by Branford’s Angelo, Pantani and Fowler families. Still others, such as Branford’s Maercklien family, step up each year to provide donations and hands-on help at BCC on Harbor Street.

Beginning each September, gifts are collected, sorted, wrapped and bagged for parents to pick up and put under the family tree in time for Christmas. Families are referred to the program through agencies, schools and other channels.

“The people who come for the gifts are always so grateful, and the people who give are always so happy to give,” said Nelson.

Patterson said about 20 percent of the families donating to the 2016 program were families who had received BCC Secret Santa gifts in the past.

“There are people who say, ‘I really benefited from this program and I want to give back,’” Nelson added. “And others who say, ‘Thank you so much, when I get back on my feet, I want to give back.’ Our town’s a great community. It makes you proud to live here.”

BCC accepts donations of gifts for Secret Santa beginning in September of every year. Gifts for teens (ages 12 and up) are especially needed. For more information, call BCC at (203) 481-4248.