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Tonya Papanikolas Reporting The United Way worried this season that the number of people who need Christmas assistance would surpass donations. Now that their Sub for Santa store has opened, their fears came true.
United Way has run Sub for Santa for six years, and each year, the need increases. Last year, they served 1500 more kids than the year before.
This Christmas they'll be helping even more families, if they have enough gifts to hand out.
Several hundred people spent hours in line to see if they qualified for the United Way's Sub for Santa program in Crossroads Mall. For half of them, it was their second day of waiting.
Hollie Talmadge, Sub for Santa Applicant: "Four and a half hours yesterday, and about an hour and a half today."
Hopeful parents said it would all be worth it to give their children some tangible joy.
Lorena Marsenaro, Sub for Santa Applicant: "They'll have at least 2-3 toys, and they'll say, hey, Santa was here."
Hollie Talmadge, Sub for Santa Applicant: "To see the look on my kid's face on Christmas! That's priceless and you can't replace that on Christmas."
Those who passed the financial qualifications entered the Sub for Santa store to pick out the perfect gifts.
Joy Wolfblack, Sub for Santa Recipient: "I'm trying to get some clothes for my grandson, getting an outfit for him. I guess we can get a few toys for him, too, so I'm pretty grateful for that."
Each family gets to pick out clothing, undergarments, hats, gloves and two toys for each child.
"Lorena Marsenaro: "My two-year-old just wants a train, a train set. He loves Thomas."
"Joy Wolfblack: "It's gonna mean a lot to them. Cause there's no Christmas if we didn't have this program. So it's gonna make it a brighter day for them."
Volunteers want to continue spreading that joy, but to do that, they need to keep up with demand. Unfortunately, they say if they don't receive more donations soon, they will run out of gifts.
Bryson Despain, United Way of Salt Lake: "The amount of donations we have right now will still only last us through the weekend, and we hope to be open through the 20th."
United Way says they've seen generous donors step forward... they're just hoping more will feel compelled to help.
Hollie Talmadge: "I know there's people out there who are angels- and we just need more. Everybody's entitled to Christmas."