Brightening the Holidays for the Kids and Families Who Need It Most
The holiday season is all about warmth, joy, and togetherness. But for many children and families in our services and care, it can be a challenge. That’s where we step in.
The Children’s Home Development Team, along with community partners, work to ensure that every child and family we serve experiences the wonder and magic of the holidays. We make this happen in three heartwarming ways: Wish Lists, Santa’s Workshop, and the amazing volunteers who make it all possible.
Wish Lists: Making Dreams Come True
The heart and soul of the Children’s Home holiday season is the Wish List campaign. Around 1,100 personalized wish lists are collected from the youth and families receiving services. Our staff members speaking with their clients to find out their holiday wishes and needs, and these wishes become real gift lists.
Generous donors and businesses within our community sign up to be fulfill personalized wish lists, and then the shopping begins! The gifts are delivered to our Knoxville HQ, where the Development Team checks and organizes them for delivery to program locations, who make sure the gifts are directed to the individual or family – ready for their holiday celebrations!
Santa’s Workshop: Where Magic Happens
Santa’s Workshop is a special place where donated toys, clothes, and other miscellaneous items are kept at our Knoxville location. It’s where Children’s Home staff can shop for clients who came into their care after the Wish List deadline. The goal of Santa’s Workshop is simple: no child or family should miss out during the holidays.
Community partners like Banner Elementary School and Russell’s Cycling and Fitness play a vital role in stocking Santa’s Workshop. Banner Elementary students raise funds throughout the year and then go shopping and deliver gifts by the busload! Russell’s Cycling and Fitness refurbishes bicycles all year, adding a big red bow and card to each one, and deliver them to our Knoxville location. What’s better than a bike with a big red bow on Christmas Day?
Volunteers: Holiday Elves
The holiday season at Children’s Home wouldn’t be possible without our incredible volunteers. These heroes help with various tasks, from decorating to organizing Santa’s Workshop, wrapping presents, and shopping for last-minute Wish Lists. Their contribution is the glue that holds our holiday campaign together!
Be Part of the Holiday Magic
You can be part of this campaign by signing up to shop for Wish Lists, shop for items to fill Santa’s Workshop, or volunteer your time to support this special season. It’s comforting to know that your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a difference in the lives of our kids and families and help them create cherished holiday memories.
