The Putnam Way & IITW Radio Elf Squad 2022

15/12/2023

9 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS AND WHAT DO WE SEE?

38 MORE KIDS WITHOUT GIFTS UNDER THE TREE

Christmas comes but once a year and soon Santa's magic will fill the night air.

Writing letters to Santa. Leaving cookies and milk then off to bed with prayers and kisses goodnight.

You guys have been absolutely amazing. We hate to ask again. But we have tried our best to fill each need. These kids have absolutely nothing to put under the tree.

Homes lost, parents passing, jobs lost and several other issues. No one can plan for life's unplanned surprises. But with your help we can make their blue Christmas bright.

Please help us remind these kids that the world does care and Santa's magic hasn't faded this year.

Help us show these parents that hope isn't lost and people still care.

Thank you kindly for all you do and thank you for those who help all the kids Christmas not be blue this year and every year too.

Angels Amongst Us 2023 almost in the books!!

Only a few days left to help our South Putnam Kids. In the picture below and comments you will find what we still need. If anyone wants to donate bikes. We desperately need them still!! 😔

Also this Sunday December 17th @ 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. we are wrapping @ the Community Center in Pomona Park. If you would like to help out. Come on out and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.

If you like to Donate you still have time!! We still need candy, candy, candy!! Candy canes and more!!

Any questions please text or call 386-559-3449. Or inbox Linda Frank

****The Putnam Way kids are all coblvered as of now. Thank you all ❤️

18/11/2023

CHRISTMAS SPONSORS NEEDED FOR

"KEEP CHRISTMAS ALIVE 2023"

Hey gang, we are helping a local group this year with Christmas. A lot of these kids
don't even have heaters, blankets or jackets. Some don't even have shoes without holes in them.

These kids are in dire need of a bit of Christmas magic.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child or family, please call or text 386-627-0195 or message us here on The Putnam Way.

If you are unable to shop in store, you can always shop online and send them to us with c/o the child's name and code. Please message us privately for the address.

VENMO


Cash App
$ThePutnamWay

18/11/2023

JOY AND LOVE OVER CHRISTMAS HATE

The holidays are here and everyone is busy shopping and getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of making sure everything is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Making sure the decorations are perfect, the perfect clothes, perfect foods, perfect gifts.

But it seems that the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas have been forgotten.

Thanksgiving is about sharing and helping others.

Christmas is not about the toys or getting the most expensive item to show all your friends.

For goodness sakes it's about family, joy, happiness, love and oh yeah- the birth of Christ.

A lot of people commit su***de this time of year because they feel they can't take the monetary stress of the Christmas gifts. Parents want to make their kids happy and give them things they didn't have when they were younger. That's fine, who doesn't? But at what expense?

When we were little I remember many Christmas mornings with 1 or 2 gifts and some years none. I never complained. Because I would wake up to my dad home from work making breakfast and the smell filling the house. Going outside and playing and enjoying the snow. Seeing my mom excited as we would open our gifts ever so carefully to save the wrapping paper for another time. Just having my family together and spending time together even for 1 day meant more than any gift ever did in my life.

The last several years we have given our time, our love and our hearts to help this community. But sadly in return it's not thank you or gratefulness anymore for getting something for the kids. It's become the most hateful, ungrateful people I have ever met in my life.

We have spent hundreds of hours making sure each child was taken care of. No it's not a perfect system- nothing is. We are all human beings. Mistakes happen. 99% of you never offered to help when you saw things fall behind. All you did was complain and say horrible things.

You treat us like we were obligated to help you. We were not. You took abuse of.our kindness and love for.this community.

Did you know that most of the people who donated to your children gave their last cent to make sure YOUR children had a nice Christmas.

The very people you were yelling at and complaining about not moving fast enough to get you your gifts have cancer, heart problems and more health problems than you can list on 1 page. Not 1 of them had a child getting gifts.

They were out there in the freezing cold weather hurting and putting their health at risk for your kids to have a Christmas.

Instead of offering help or saying thank you, you chose to say comments like this is bull$ # # #, or that's dollar store stuff. You know what these gifts were donated and you asked us to help you because your kids weren't going to have anything under the tree. So be grateful.

Christmas is about joy, happiness, peace, helping others.

You have literally drained the joy out of me at Christmas. I won't lie. I used to enjoy helping all of the kids. Did you even care to think that when something went wrong how upset I got? The fact that I was doing everything to make sure every kid had a Christmas present under the tree.

I look at each of your children as if they were my own child. I picture their face with happiness and joy of having something under the tree. If someone doesn't have a gift Travis and I would struggle and run ourselves ragged to try to make sure that the extra donated toys went to your child so they had something.

You have no idea how devastating it was to me every time I would hear no gifts. You saw me running around doing everything I could for everyone. For your kids. I don't blame the kids. I feel sorry for them. They don't know what the true feeling of the holiday is about. It's lost.

I'm sorry that things aren't perfect. I'm sorry I'm human and make mistakes. I'm sorry I can't make sure every child has exactly what they want for Christmas. But you know you have kids for 12 months you know Christmas is coming. So why in Goodness sake are you so hateful towards people who are killing themselves to make sure your kids have Christmas?

Yes I know some situations change at last minute. Those are not the people who upset me. It's the ones who think because we are a newspaper and radio station that their child deserves hundred dollar toy items. I wish it worked that way.

We take money out of our own pocket to make sure these kids have something. But you continue to hate and bash us because your children didn't get a new bicycle or a laptop.

Every 1 of you are told that no items over $50. Not so you can pick $50 toys, it's because of the price of toys is so high. Every 1 of you are told that we can not guarantee what your child will get. Every 1 of you are told that when you come to pick up the gifts to be prepared to be there as long as it takes.

I have parents last year who came and never got anything for their kids that were more thankful and appreciative than the parents who got boxes full.

You people should be ashamed of yourselves!

I'm sorry but instead of yelling at the people who are trying to help, why don't you explain to your kids what Christmas is really about and how though gifts are awesome, it's not always possible to get those items.

This year we have decided as a group that we will not be doing Christmas this year. We want to spend 1 Christmas happy, joyful, laughing, with our families.

It was not easy and breaks my heart to tell a parent no more than anyone could ever realize. But last year it almost killed me. This year not only has my health gotten worse, but the stress has made all.of our health worse.

You see our families don't care about gifts. To us it's about the fact that half of our loved ones are so unhealthy we may not have a tomorrow together. So we appreciate the moments.we have together. Every breath God gives us we want to spend happy and together.

I hope those of you who were so nasty and ungrateful last year never have to experience what you put us through. Never know the feeling of truly going without needs just for wants. I pray you get an eye opener and before it's to late learn to love family more than gifts.

To our Sponsors we are helping a local group this year and do still have several kids on their list that need sponsored.

I ask your forgiveness for my venting, but the ones we are helping are truly in need and do appreciate you.

I just felt the need to explain why mentally, physically and emotionally why personally I can't do the normal routine of helping so many kids.

We appreciate each of you who go out of your way this time of year to do something for complete strangers. The kids are grateful. We are grateful. You are amazing. To have a heart for others has sadly become a rare thing.

Please don't let my venting deter you from helping. There are many grateful people and kids.

If you are interested in helping any of our remaining kids, please let me know. I have about 36 kids left on my list ranging from 1 to 16.

Text or call 386-627-0195

*Some of these kids don't even have heat, blankets or jackets.

My views don't reflect everyone at The Putnam Way, but they represent how I feel.~Angie

31/12/2022

PARENTS WAITING ON GIFTS PICKING UP

Hey gang I am contacting everyone one by one.

Please hang in there. I can't answer all calls and texts at once.

I am trying to go code by code as I grab them so that I don't miss anyone.

If concerned please text DO NOT CALL, 386-627-3822.

It's easier to keep track of the texts than phone calls. Phone calls are to easy to get forgotten.

Thank you 💕

15/12/2022

81 CHILDREN WITHOUT CHRISTMAS REMAIN

Christmas is 1 week away and parents will be coming the 22nd and 23rd to pick up gifts.

Can you imagine being the 1 who comes and gets told no one sponsored your child? Then you only have 2 days to pull off a Christmas for 4, 5 or even 6 kids?

I don't want to tell those parents sorry you've got nothing to pass to your children for Christmas.

Everyone has spare change laying around or even ask your friends or neighbors to join in and help sponsor a child.

If we all work together these remaining kids will be taken care of.

I believe we can do it. I believe that God didn't bring us these families in need only for us to turn them away. I believe he is talking to some of you right now.

Don't do more than you can do or afford. We have 81 kids and 10 turkey dinners to come up with.

We have lists to help you know what the kids like. You are not asked or obligated to get what's on the list.

If everyone on here donated 1 item that would be 18.9 million toys. Could you imagine how many kids that would help? If everyone in Putnam County that was on here donated 1 toy that's over 65,000 toys. What a blessing that would be to so many kids.

On Monday we will be taking the monetary donations to shop for kids still remaining. Like yesterday we had a family who had not got their information in to us due to the loss of the father, funeral arrangements and grieving. The mom didn't realize how fast Christmas snuck up in the meantime. I refused to turn her away. That is 6 kids that will not have a Christmas in that family. Not due to their own fault. But due to tragedy.

Another family they can't afford gas for their house to heat it at prices today. They are in need of coats and blankets to keep warm. That's not due to their fault either. Fixed incomes on disability can only go so far.

I can go on, but won't. These kids need us, they need you to help.

Life happens and we can all lose everything in the blink of an eye. The 1 thing doing The Putnam Way has taught me is that if I ever were to fall on hard times, this community would be there for me.

So I believe in you guys. I believe in your hearts you will help us find a way to help the kids left on the list.

13 and up we need the following
Make up, nail polish, fishing poles, watches, necklaces, hair brushes, cologne/ bath sets, etc

2 and under we need the following

Newborn to 3t clothes, blankets, toys, learning things, diapers all sizes, wipes, bibs, bottles, etc

Our ages are newborn to 17. We even have a little 1 that mom is having a c section Christmas eve and they need clothes for a girl.

Most say I can only afford 1 thing. That's ok, because if everyone gets 1 thing Putnam County will have pulled off the biggest Christmas in history.

Thank you for caring. Putnam County and all of the people from all over Florida and the world who have brought us toys or donated that aren't in this community physically, you are honorary members of our community because every year you care enough to help the kids in our community. I want to say YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!

We hope that everyone will pull together and help the kids remaining.

For more information please call or text 386-627-3822 or 386-315-1087

Thank you all and God bless.

You can drop toys off at one of our drop off locations.

The Stand/ Matt & LuAnne's
1036 Hwy 17
Satsuma, FL 32189

or

Hitchcock's Market
164 Hwy 17
East Palatka, FL 32131

or

Dollar General
1149 Hwy 17
Satsuma, FL 32189

or

Budget Inn
100 Moseley Ave
Palatka, FL 32177

Oasis Auto Sales
248 US-17
Palatka, FL 32177


Fort Gates Ferry & Gateway Fish Camp
229 Fort Gates Ferry
Crescent City, Fl 32112

Or

Florida's Premier Bo***ir and Underwater Photographer
PALATKA, FL 32177
352-494-6749 call owner Jennifer when on way

or

FL Insurance Solutions
922 FL-19, Palatka, FL 32177
(386) 325-2081
(with Mr John)

***If you would like to donate instead, the links are below.

Cash App
The Putnam Way
$ThePutnamWay

Venmo
The Putnam Way &IITW Radio


PayPal
The Putnam Way


Checks, Money Orders, and Gift cards also accepted. Please call us for address and what to put on checks/ money orders.

Receipts available upon request.

Again, to sponsor a child or family please call or text 386-627-3822 or 386-315-1087. Thank you kindly.

***Turkey dinners are: (feeds 6 to 8 people)
1 turkey 10 to 22 lbs., large box instant potatoes, 2 boxes stuffing, 2 large cans of green beans, pumpkin or apple pie, 1 can cranberry sauce, rolls, butter.

(Some people have fun and add their favorite recipe on a card and the ingredients to make it and some add cool whip or reddi whip for pies)

Even if you only have 1 or 2 of the items, we can put them together and make a meal. That's 1 less thing we have to buy for food and 1 extra toy we can buy for kids.

Be safe everyone. ❤️

14/12/2022

I'M GETTING NOTHING FOR CHRISTMAS

You can drop toys off at one of our drop off locations.

The Stand/ Matt & LuAnne's
1036 Hwy 17
Satsuma, FL 32189

or

Hitchcock's Market
164 Hwy 17
East Palatka, FL 32131

or

Dollar General
1149 Hwy 17
Satsuma, FL 32189

or

Budget Inn
100 Moseley Ave
Palatka, FL 32177

Oasis Auto Sales
248 US-17
Palatka, FL 32177


Fort Gates Ferry & Gateway Fish Camp
229 Fort Gates Ferry
Crescent City, Fl 32112

Or

Florida's Premier Bo***ir and Underwater Photographer
PALATKA, FL 32177
352-494-6749 call owner Jennifer when on way

or

FL Insurance Solutions
922 FL-19, Palatka, FL 32177
(386) 325-2081
(with Mr John)

***If you would like to donate instead, the links are below.

Cash App
The Putnam Way
$ThePutnamWay

Venmo
The Putnam Way &IITW Radio


PayPal
The Putnam Way


Checks, Money Orders, and Gift cards also accepted. Please call us for address and what to put on checks/ money orders.

Receipts available upon request.

To sponsor a child or family please call or text 386-627-3822 or 386-315-1087. Thank you kindly.

Be safe everyone. ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/ThePutnamWayNews/videos/1155591178407250/?sfnsn=mo

18/11/2022

37 days til Christmas and what do I see?
81 children still without gifts under the tree.

So many families and children in need.
Some without stockings or even a tree.

We've gathered food and presents galore,
But sadly as of last night we have 81 more.

We need your help now more than ever before.
Without your love and support not a smile will there be for them Christmas morn.

Christmas is a time for love, happiness and cheer
And I know I can count on you to make sure Hope will be there.

Its more than gifts that your gifts provide
It's hope restored to grandparents, moms and dads.

I have a children with cancer, kids whose parents have died. Kids who had no one to tuck them in at night that are now safe but no money for gifts in sight.

No matter what their reason, the only thing that matters is that they are in need.

They need hope this Christmas.

Some of you have stepped up and gone above and beyond. Some can only provide 1 toy, but that is 1 toy more than that child had before.

I ask you to think about that Christmas that you didn't get a gift. Remember that sadness and if you are able, PLEASE HELP!

If you are able or willing to sponsor a child. Please message the page, comme t below, or call 386-315-1087.

Thank you & GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU!

If you would like to help but are unable to shop, we have elfs that can help.

We can accept donations via check, gift cards, PayPal, Venmo and CashApp

ALL money collected is spent on the kids the year it is given.

PayPal


Venmo


CashApp
$ThePutnamWay

18/11/2022

🎄 Our favorite time of year is here! Introducing a Chick-fil-A

Original Story: The Snow Globe.

Enjoy the full 7-minute animated adventure now: https://spr.ly/6188MFK4p

https://fb.watch/gSZlpjOPe0/?mibextid=6aamW6

The Stories of Evergreen Hills™ by Chick-fil-A ® follow a young girl named Sam as she discovers how little acts of kindness can bring people together.

16/11/2022

21/10/2022

THANKS TO EVERYONE YEARS PAST

Whether you shopped, shared, wrapped, sorted, organized, passed out dinners, etc you have been the angels to so many children and families Christmas morning.

It's because of people like each of you that the magic of Christmas is still alive.

Sadly, every year our list grows. God has always made sure we have just enough gifts for everyone every year though. Each of you are an answer to not just a child's wish, but a parents prayer and our prayer that the children we get each get Sponsored.

We do not believe in exploiting people and children; especially at Christmas.

But we decided to show you just how much the residents of Putnam County, Florida ROCK!

Each bag is a child. And I only put 2021 and 2020 gifts in the video.

I wanted you to see how much love, pure love, that our community has.

Also, a special thanks to Matt & LuAnne from The Stand for allowing us the use of their truck and trailers and Dr Rick Lee for allowing us the use of his Veterinarian bus, and to Dan and Tracy Thompson for the use of the Uhauls to help keep up the overflow of gifts.

Be safe

If you want to sponsor a child or become part of the Elf Squad please message the page here or call or text Angie at 386-627-3822.

19/10/2022

Welcome to The Putnam Way & IITW Radio's Elf Squad page.

This page is for anyone that wants to volunteer to help our local Putnam County kids out for Christmas this year.

100% of ALL toys and gifts collected are passed out here in Putnam County, Florida.

Do you want to help, but just don't know how? That's ok. We have several areas that you can help in.

We need people that can help get Sponsors, sort gifts, pass out gifts, shop, and so much more.

We have been doing the Elf Squad for almost 20 years here in Putnam County.

We absolutely love the people here in our community.

It is only because of people like you and your big hearts for these children that the joy, spirit and magic still exists. ✨️

Your generosity helps more than just that child to have a gift for Christmas. It helps give families hope. It helps people remember there are still good people in this world.

If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring 1 child or more, please message me privately here on the page. We also go above and beyond and make sure every child in each family has an equal number of gifts.

You will see our number needs go up and down as Christmas approaches. There will always be another child in need. But our goal is to find as many as we can and keep that from happening.

We try to vet every family that comes into The Putnam Way. Needless to say once in a blue moon 1 or 2 may slip through the cracks, but we do our very best to make sure every story is legit and every family truly in need.

Please feel free to call 386-627-3822 or message me here on The Putnam Way & IITW Radio Elf Squad 2022

God bless each of you. May you have a safe and Happy Holiday Season.

19/10/2022

https://youtu.be/PQdLF1QP_-A

Sara Bareilles - Love Is Christmas Lyrics [HD]