IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – Citizen Santa, a Christmas adoption program initiated by welder Tom Robitaille of Boss Snowplow, is making a significant impact this holiday season. Over 200 kids from Iron Mountain and surrounding towns like Kingsford, Niagara, and Norway, have been adopted to ensure that the children of families in need still get to experience a Christmas this year. The community’s generosity is shining through.
Citizen Santa, born as a Facebook group, has evolved into a community phenomenon. Anonymous donors and local heroes like Mary Endelman, who also donated groceries for three families, are ensuring families have groceries and gifts, embodying the spirit of giving. Robitaille noted that even out-of-town friends have donated hundreds of dollars of cash and a Santa suit to the cause.
Megan Roque, owner of Mrs. Deals, extends the giving spirit with a 10% discount for families shopping for their adopted counterparts. The store’s surplus, including popular brands at a 70% discount, provides an affordable way for families to spread joy. Roque has been a part of Citizen Santa since it’s inception, and says Citizen Santa has been the talk of the town this year.
“So last year Mrs. Deals was looking to give back to the community, because that’s why we started Mrs. Deals, and I came upon Citizen Santa. We adopted numerous families, so this year I wanted to give back in a different way, which would be offering a discount for families to buy for other families. And at the end of the season, we will also be donating to any other families in need,” she informed.
She’s had quite a few shoppers looking for the perfect gifts for adoptees already, and is noticing a popular toy on some of the kiddo’s wishlists.
“A lot of Nerf guns have been sold just in general, and then a lot of families are buying clothing as well, because you can get a child’s shirt for $1.50 here versus $10 at big box stores,” noted Roque.
“I think it is extremely important to be involved with Citizen Santa, because it’s a way to help out our local community members who might not be able to afford a Christmas. You know times are tough, money’s tight, and it’s great that all the other people who are looking to give back – this is a very easy way, and you can affect families positively, that typically wouldn’t even be thought of,” expressed the store owner.
Another local business owner, Carlos Cantina, has adopted around 30 kids this year.
Daniel Arranda of Carlos Cantina has gone above and beyond, adopting numerous families and mobilizing his own family to help shop for each child. Arranda emphasizes the importance of local involvement.
“I looked through the list, and I could tell there were a lot of families with one or two kids, and I kind of looked it up on my Facebook. I’m a part of the page, and I went ahead and just said I’ll take all the families you have with just one or two kids,” Arranda shared, adding that he enjoys knowing it helps the local community directly.
“It’s fantastic that it’s done by someone local. Tom [Robitaille] does a great job making sure that it gets publicized, and he finds people to adopt these kids, and I’m not just sending somebody some money that I don’t know where it’s going to. You know exactly the families it is going to. I can have contact with the families to deliver, or have them pick up things,” he noted.
As the momentum grows, businesses like Mrs. Deals and Carlos Cantina are not just contributing gifts – but creating memorable experiences for families in need. Citizen Santa’s impact extends beyond gifts, fostering a sense of community and compassion during the holiday season. Some of the items beyond toys have included needs for clothing, shoes, and even diapers, and community members have been scrambling to accommodate the needs of these families this season.
Even Iron Mountain’s newest fine dining spot, Oddfellows Restaurant, has multiple staff members joining in the charity crusade. Mary Helen Hall, a line cook, and her coworker, Christina Pollard, a server, are two of several Oddfellows staff members diving into the spirit of giving through the ‘Citizen Santa’ mission. Hall, who has two children, eagerly embraced the opportunity to contribute to her community, using her keen eye for details to provide thoughtful gifts for families. Pollard, though without kids of her own, brings her enthusiasm for families, evident in her work with children through her church choir and teaching.
Reflecting on their involvement, Hall shared the importance of businesses giving back to the community that supports them.
“I think that this area can use community contributions, especially from the people that the community supports. If your business is successful, it’s because your community is making it successful, so to give back is so crucial,” Hall stated.
Meanwhile, Pollard, inspired by her friend Tom [Robitaille], who spearheads Citizen Santa, expresses gratitude for his dedication to making a difference.
“So Tom and I have been really good friends for a few years now, and when he told me he was doing Citizen Santa, I was just blown away that he wanted to take on such a big undertaking. He gives opportunity for the families that do adopt a child to deliver the presents, but if they’re uncomfortable, he’ll do it himself. And he’s a busy guy as it is, so it’s just really humbling to know that we have someone in the community that cares about these children,” Pollard shared.
She and her sister have already adopted a family, finishing their shopping and eagerly anticipating the chance to contribute to a positive change in the community.
With a heartwarming touch, Pollard shares the joy of selecting gifts for a one-year-old and a two-year-old, combining essentials like warm winter clothing with delightful Cocomelon toys. As an artist, she finds joy in introducing them to new interests, making the holiday season special. Urging others to join in, Pollard encourages people to reach out and adopt a family, highlighting that there are still opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
“Please reach out to Citizen Santa, because you can still adopt a family. You know there’s a few left,” encouraged Pollard.
Currently, there are still around 45 children on the adoption list.
To find out how to give back, search Citizen Santa on social media, or e-mail citizensanta@gmail.com
For those who want to use their Citizen Santa discount to shop for their adopted family at Mrs. Deals, ‘Mrs. Deals’ is open Wednesday through Friday 10 to 6, Saturday 10 to 4, Sunday 10 to 2. The store announced recently they got another semi-load just in time for last-minute holiday shopping while families are hunting for the perfect items to put under their adopted family’s Christmas tree this year.
