MECHANIC FALLS – “Happy Birthday, Jake!” “Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday!”

Greetings generally guaranteed to produce beaming smiles for and from the recipient at whatever age certainly spread for Jake Wiseman at age 8.

This was his day. This was his party, and better than a dozen second-graders fueled on cake and ice cream spent a fair part of a recent Saturday afternoon rocketing around the municipal gym. A little basketball, a little kickball, more ice cream and cake.

Typical kid birthday, with one exception. The presents – sets of Match Box cars, Legos, Magna Doodles – were delivered unwrapped and stacked in a box marked “Santa for the Kids.”

Santa for the Kids is a town program initiated 15 years ago by former Town Clerk Sheila Gray and her assistant, Shirley Marquis, who is now the town clerk.

“Last year the program helped 21 families, with 87 children and adults. We give out food baskets, boots and warm winter items and plenty of toys. It is a worthwhile program; we could use more kids like Jake,” Marquis said.

Jake’s generosity comes as no surprise to his mother, Martha Wiseman.

“His teachers have mentioned he is very caring of other people’s feelings. When he was 5 years old, we drove by Hope Haven Mission in Lewiston. A line of men were waiting outside. Jake asked what was going on, and I told him that is where someone could go if they didn’t have a home. He was very concerned,” Martha said.

His father, Jacques Wiseman, said Jake is one of the most outgoing, sports minded boys he knows, and admires Red Sox baseball player David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz, who is known for his generosity to kids and community causes.

“Jake is playing soccer now but baseball is his first love. He is a die-hard Red Sox fan and last summer Big Papi was No. 1 with him, but he is still a big fan of Johnny Damon, in fact he has a Yankee shirt with Damon on it. Long-term loyalty, I guess,” Jacques said.

Asked why he wanted to give away birthday presents that could have gone to him, Jake said, “I thought other kids should have the same amount of toys I have. You know it feels good, really does feel good, to share with someone else.”

Reflecting on her encounter with Jake’s insight, Shirley Marquis said, “For someone to learn to give, especially at his age, is off to a good start in life.”