BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — While shoppers across New England raced to get gifts for their own families this holiday season, a Bridgewater couple was buying gifts for other families across town.
Stephanie and Mark Sabourin have a sprawling Christmas decoration display on their front lawn off Plymouth Street.
But the one that’s making the biggest difference is their North Pole Mailbox.
“We thought it was a really cute decoration,” said Stephanie. “We thought, ‘Let’s add it to the front lawn.’”
The two added it to their collection last year and realized they were receiving letters addressed to Santa inside.
Stephanie added, “This kid wants a soccer ball. This kid wants some Legos. This kid asked for a Barbie doll. We can do this.”
The family decided to ditch their own Christmas gifts for the year. Instead, they vowed to give every child in need three gifts they requested.
They reached out to the community through social media explaining their mission.
Stephanie remembered their Facebook post, “‘If you could use some extra help around the holiday with gifts, make sure you include an address, and we’ll try to surprise some people.’ It snowballed from there.”
The couple told me they were able to buy presents and deliver them to 37 families in the Bridgewater area last Christmas, and just about the same this year.
The family realized, though, that they needed a cover story for their sudden arrival at the homes of children with their Christmas gifts.
Stephanie would tell them, “The Grinch had stolen some presents from the North Pole, and Santa’s elf ranger police force caught the Grinch. the Grinch had a change of heart, and he was out returning all the presents.”
Mark luckily already had a Grinch outfit and would deliver the gifts in costume.
“The Grinch would ask, ‘How many Whos were inside because we do live Whoville,” Mark explained.
The family hopes to help more families next year – realizing the need in their own backyard.
Stephanie finished, “It’s those middle-of-the-road people that don’t get that help that we’re trying to reach.”
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