The Santa America foundation has received a $35,000 grant from Jewelers for Children, Ernest Berger, Santa America founder, said.

Jewelers for Children is a New York-based, nonprofit organization. The funding is from the Jeffrey W. Comment Memorial Endowment Fund, Cathy Barnette, Santa America executive director, said.

“It’s a real confirmation that while our roots are in Daphne, having a New York-based organization … recognize us — it’s pretty important,” Berger said.

Comment, Helzberg Diamonds CEO who died in 2004, since 1995 had annually visited children in hospitals the week before Christmas, dressed as Santa Claus, and encouraged other CEOs to do the same, Barnette said.

Santa America visits children year-round, according to Barnette.

Santa America is beginning a medical study with USA’s Children and Women’s Hospital in Mobile on the impact Santa has on cystic fibrosis patients.

The grant, which will help cover the costs of the study, will benefit the training and consistencies of Santa’s involvement with patients, according to Berger.

It will also help in the development and research of the study, Barnette said.

Santa America is also developing more training for “elf” volunteers, Barnette said.

“That grant will give us the ability to drive the training and recruitment of our Santas and elves,” Berger said.

The foundation will also continue extensive background checks on its volunteers, Barnette said.

The grant also will allow Santa America to distribute more “Hugs.” A “Hug” is a scarf with a mitten at each end; it is given to each child “Santa” visits.

“We will continue to bring the symbolic gifts to our children this year,” Barnette said.

The grant is a one-year commitment, Barnette said, adding, “We hope they will adopt us in the future.”

Santa America volunteers dress as Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and elves to visit children with chronic illnesses, those who have relatives in hospice, and those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or who have parents wounded or killed in the military.