Every kid celebrating Christmas dreams of waking to presents under a tree, but that’s not reality for 11 million children nationwide who live under the poverty line. For their families, the holidays feel bleak and stressful, as they cannot answer their children’s letters to Santa. But together, we can change that. You can make a meaningful difference for kids, right here at santaforaday.org.

You can be Santa for a Day, and bring hope and joy to life by making holiday dreams come true for kids who need it the most – fulfill Santa’s letters with a simple two-step click of generosity, and you’ll deliver gifts to kids who deserve a festive holiday season.

At Santa for a Day, we believe every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and celebrated—especially during the holidays.  Our mission is to spread joy and hope to children in underserved communities by fulfilling their holiday wishes, one heartfelt letter at a time. But we do more than deliver gifts—we listen.

Childhood is a critical time of identity, self-worth, and emotional development. When a child is heard, they begin to understand that their voice matters. When they are acknowledged, they begin to believe in their potential. By encouraging children to write letters to Santa, we give them an outlet to express themselves, share their dreams, and be recognized in a world that too often overlooks them.

Santa for a Day (SFAD) is a non-religiously affiliated 501(c)(3) Public Charity providing holiday gifts, basic needs and educational supplies for children living in underserved urban areas. SFAD serves children ages 5-12 from low-income, marginalized, and vulnerable communities, the majority of whom live more than 150% below the Federal Poverty Line in urban areas and/or city owned public housing properties. Our kids are disproportionately Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, and/or come from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Our aim is to reach into America’s most impoverished neighborhoods and show the power of goodness in the face of adversity through the holiday spirit, regardless of race, ethnicity, financial ability, gender, or religion. Our two-fold mission includes spreading hope while empowering childhood literacy- we teach youngsters the power of the pen and reward their efforts by translating their wishes into reality. Santa for a Day has been operating since 2018 and since then, we’ve expanded into eight cities (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Evanston, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia) and partnered with extraordinary organizations to deliver thousands of gifts and smiles. Our work is rooted in empathy, fueled by partnerships, and driven by the belief that joy has the power to transform lives—not just for children, but for families, communities, and everyone who joins our mission.

Volunteers help Santa for a Day succeed in spreading joy. Every gesture, large or small, helps remind a child they’re not forgotten. Every smile you help create sends ripples of hope and kindness through families, neighborhoods, and cities. Join us—and be part of something joyful, meaningful, and lasting.

We hope you’ll consider the many ways to give of your time:

• Local letter writing events: Assist younger children (in our eight markets) in writing their letters to Santa, teaching them the power of the pen and helping them learn how to share their stories.
• Identifying gifts: Johnny wants a red fire truck, but which red fire truck is it? Work with our partners at Amazon.com to pick the right one!
• Gift-wrapping: Packages arrive at SFAD HQ in the Chicago area, and need to be quickly wrapped and shipped. It’s such a fun way to spend a few hours, so please join us!
• Fundraising events: As we build momentum, there will be many opportunities to support. Please check back here for updates on how to get involved. Or drop us a line via email at info@santaforaday.org