‘Small Santa’ spreads the Christmas joy in Longford

A magical Polish Christmas tradition will brighten up the lives of a number of young people in difficult circumstances who are making Longford a home.
Although the celebration of Little Santa takes place on the night between December 5 and 6, it was marked locally last Sunday.

The Polish custom sees Nicholas visit the good children, giving them small presents. The gifts are placed in a sock, under a pillow or in a shoe. The visit by 'Small Santa' comes after the children send a letter declaring that they have been good. The Longford recipients will be children who are in asylum seeking accommodation in Longford town.

Barbara Stachowska of the Midlands Polish Community explained the background of a practice dating back to the 19th century: “This is a Polish tradition. On the night between December 5 and 6 Small Santa comes to every house and the children have to prepare their shoes, have everything clean and tidy. Santa brings some small treats, nothing big, generally sweets.”

Barbara says there is an incentive for Santa's visit: “After Santa comes there is a small party. It's different from the Christmas party. The main thing is to make the kids smile on this day, and encourage them to be good in preparation for Christmas.”
This gift giving initiative is targeted at young people in disadvantaged situations: “Across the whole Midlands area the Midlands Polish Community have put together 252 boxes with sweet treats, which were distributed to a number of local organisations supporting the most vulnerable families and children. Of those we have 30 boxes to be distributed in Longford,” Barbara explained.

The idea is to bring Small Santa to the most vulnerable families and children: “We want to show how beautiful this tradition is. We are not forcing anyone to celebrate it, it's just an opportunity to bring a smile to the faces of some young people who are struggling. None of this would have been possible if it had not been for the great support from many quarters.”

Cllr Uruemu Adejinmi helped Midlands Polish Community to identify where the gifts would be most appreciated: “It's one of the beautiful things about living in a multi cultural society. The opportunity to experience the traditions of people from different backgrounds. We are really thankful for the generosity of the Midlands Polish Community for this generous gesture to people in the Longford community.
Uruemu said: “We are delighted for their support and I want to thank Barbara and the members of Midlands Polish Community. We wish them all a happy Christmas as well as the young people who will receive these gift boxes.”

Seamus Mimnagh is a manager in the Camlin Apartments on Bridge Street. Seamus is one of three managers in charge of the apartment block that plays host to a number of families who have come to Ireland seeking asylum.
The apartments facilitate asylum seekers from four continents making a home in Longford: “We help a total of 19 families with 33 children,” Seamus told the Leader, “The children are integrated into the local schools, from pre-school, to national to secondary.”
Seamus says the presents are a source of delight to the children: “We are delighted to receive these gifts from the Midlands Polish Community on behalf of the children. They come from various backgrounds and have come through difficult situations. It will bring a little joy to the young people when they celebrate the Little Santy festivities.”

Established in 2018 by a small group of volunteers Midlands Polish Community CLG is an association established to support integration and cooperation among local Polish individuals, entrepreneurs and organisations as well as Polish-Irish integration and cooperation in Midlands.
It aims to create grounds for intellectual, psychological, artistic and physical development in the communities, to support eco-friendly movements, animal welfare and charity works.
MPC received support from the Polish Embassy in Dublin as part of global Polonia4neighbours initiative.

Charity and compassion is the key driver for the ‘Little Santa’ or ‘Mee-Ko-Why-Kee’ as it is know in the Polish language.