MANCHESTER - Attorney Terrence J. Daley said his firm - Moquin & Daley - is pleased to again make the first major donation to the Union Leader Santa Fund for the Salvation Army, as it has done since 1989.

Daley said the firm's donation of $7,500 goes directly to help those in need. "There is no middleman," said Daley. "The money you contribute goes directly to the people who need help. Those who need it, get it."

Although the recession is easing, he said, there is still a great deal of underemployment, and though people manage to make it through most of the year, it's the extras at this time of year that are beyond their budget's reach.

And for those people who have sustained an injury or illness that has wiped out a family's savings, the Santa Fund can make the difference and put presents under the Christmas tree and provide a grocery store gift card so the family can enjoy a festive holiday meal and buy some basic food supplies for the pantry.

The Moquin & Daley law firm's specialties include medical malpractice, childhood lead poisoning, workers' compensation and automobile cases, so members of the firm see the struggles of many families year-round.

The firm's attorneys, in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, see the physical, emotional and financial toll on families who suffer injury or death.

But Daley said it doesn't have to be an injury, death or illness to devastate a family financially. A layoff or a store or business closing down can push a family over the edge financially, even if one family member is still employed.

The Santa Fund can give those families hope for a happy Christmas and more.

Daley said many people think the Santa Fund only provides Christmas presents for children and a holiday meal.

"It's much more than that," he said. It provides warm clothing for about 400 children; helps with the Salvation Army's Kids Cafe, where youngsters get a nourishing evening meal and help with homework, crafts and life skills; sends inner-city youngsters to camp for a week at Camp Sebago in Maine; provides a group holiday meal for seniors; and provides small gifts that are delivered by visitors to the elderly in nursing homes.

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The generosity of Santa Fund donors makes it possible for the holidays to still be a joyful time. The Santa Fund makes food, clothing and gifts available during the holiday season, so financially stressed families can put their resources toward paying bills for basic needs.

Santa Fund donations may be made by sending a check to the Union Leader Santa Fund, in care of the New Hampshire Union Leader, P.O. Box 9555, Manchester 03108; or by placing a donation in the Santa Fund box in the lobby of the newspaper, at 100 William Loeb Drive, Manchester, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Donations can also be made online at www.unionleader.com/santafund.

Every effort is made to promptly publish Santa Fund contributions. Donors who wish to see their contributions listed before Christmas are encouraged to submit them as soon as possible. The Union Leader publishes photos of donors of $1,000 or more.

For more information, call Christy DeTrude at 668-4321, ext. 507.