Young Iasi-area orphanage residents recently gleaned tangible rewards for their writing efforts during the Antibiotics Foundation’s fourth annual “Science and soul” holiday campaign, receiving gifts from Santa and his elves, played enthusiastically by facility staff.

Scores of disadvantaged children age 5-14 at four Iasi-area orphanges were told to write out wish lists in letters to Santa.

Many of the 70 youngsters’ requests revolved around practical and much-needed accessories such as school supplies and snacks. They asked Santa for clothing items, story books and bananas and oranges.

When they gathered for the gift-giving event last month, they not only received toys delivered courtesy of the Antibiotics Foundation, but they also had the opportunity to greet Santa and his team of elves.

“This campaign has made us to go back to the mind and soul (of) childhood,” Ioana Tode, president of the Antibiotics Foundation  Science and Soul. She thanked her colleagues,  whose “big hearts” succeeded in bringing joy to children who might not have previously experienced such festivities, as well as the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection for Iasi.