Cummings Foundation Funds Sister Santa Gift Program
Gift provides toys, clothes, and more to 20 foster children this holiday season
BOSTON – Each year, hundreds of children enter the Massachusetts Department of Children and
Families (DCF) foster care system between November and the end of the year. Unfortunately, because
these additions to foster families are rarely anticipated, many of these children are left without presents to
open during holiday celebrations. Thanks to the Cummings Foundation, that won’t be the case for
approximately 20 foster children this year.
The Cummings Foundation issued a grant to the Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Sister Santa
Program. Through the program, now in its fifth year, the Sisters provide to children within DCF
giftwrapped clothing, toys, gift cards, personalized decorated holiday stockings stuffed with candy, and
personalized holiday greeting cards.
According to Sister Lida Christ, BSPI Mistress of Novices, “Prior to the Cummings grant, through a
series of community based fund-raisers, the Sisters raised enough money to help make this year’s
holidays brighter for almost 200 children. The Cummings grant allows us to reach 10% more children and
brings us closer to our goal of 250.”
The gift was part of the Cummings Foundation’s Employee Directed Giving initiative.
The Cummings Foundation has awarded more than $140 million in grants to nonprofits based in Greater
Boston. Through a variety of initiatives it seeks to provide vital funding to mostly local charities that are
working to improve the lives of community members through education, healthcare, human services, and
social justice programs.
BSPI
The Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit focused on community service through
raising funds in support of other (primarily local) non-profit organizations, in addition to drawing attention to civil
equality and safer intimacy. Although we work within and frequently serve the GLBTQQ community, we strive to
benefit our entire New England population. The Boston Sisters is not a religious organization, and nor are we
affiliated with any religion.
