When Frankie was five he
"believed" in Santa with all his heart.

Thirteen years later...he still believed in Santa with all his heart. Santa was as real as the anticipation Frankie felt as Christmas drew near. As real as the satisfaction he felt taking one of those names off the giving tree and finding something special for a little boy who wasn't as lucky as he. As real as the excitement he and his brother Jimmy felt as they charged into the living room together on Christmas morning. Frankie had come to know that what made Santa real was his "belief," and that was all the proof he needed.

Frankie was one of the lucky ones; he was surrounded with a loving family that made his belief real every year. On Christmas night 1992 he said, "Mom, every kid should have a Christmas like ours." Later that evening he would write a note to be opened the following year: "Someday I hope to have a major positive influence on people and share all the love I have received with others." Seventeen days later Frankie's life ended.

But his gift to us is unending, and the actions of the Frankie Poulos Foundation bear the unmistakable mark of his life.

Make his wish come true. Bring laughter, love, and opportunity into the lives of kids not as lucky as Frankie. Teach kids to believe in themselves and their dreams. Then, they will come to know what Frankie knew: Santa is a lot more than a guy in a red suit.