Feel Good Friday - Santa's Helpers Foundation

Yes, it’s still early December but don’t be fooled - Christmas is around the corner! Not everyone in California has the means to provide gifts to the children in their families. That’s where Santa’s Helpers Foundation comes in.

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Concord, California, the mission of Santa’s Helpers Foundation (SHF) is “to provide joy to children, and assistance to those in poverty.” They accomplish this goal by donating items of food, clothing, and gifts to low-income families.

Although Christmas and Santa Claus were the inspiration for this organization, SHF “is committed to creating a world where every child experiences hope, kindness and joy, especially during the holiday season.” They are inclusive of all families and donate presents to children for the many holidays celebrated during the winter months, including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Las Posadas, Diwali, and Chinese New Year!

While the Holiday Donation Program is the flagship program of SHF, it’s not the only one. Cheer for Kids provides sponsorship for sports activities that promote physical fitness, Komics4Kids donates reading level appropriate comics to children to encourage a love of reading, and Santa’s Nice List recognizes people in the community who are serving and helping the less fortunate. These individuals receive a thank you card and small token gift of appreciation. 

Any family in California who is struggling financially is eligible to participate in the SHF programs. Applications for toy donations end this Sunday so if you or someone you know can use a visit from Santa’s Helpers, fill out this application form. While limited resources mean not every family who applies will be approved, those who are get notified by email and a volunteer Santa’s Helper hand delivers the donation items before the family’s celebrated holiday.

If you want to spread some cheer this holiday season, consider supporting Santa’s Helpers Foundation. You can do so by volunteering, making a donation, and spreading the word on social media by liking their Facebook page. Ho, ho, ho!