Nearly 2000 Club members received gifts for Christmas 2022
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston’s 14th annual Santa Project has set a record in 2022, fulfilling Christmas wish lists for nearly 2,000 children and teens. The event’s success was due to the participation of lead sponsor Kroger and the generosity of individuals and companies who sponsor Club members and families to guarantee they will enjoy a happy holiday season.
From Nov. 30 – Dec. 9, sponsors dropped off hundreds of holiday gifts for their assigned Club members to the Boys & Girls Clubs administrative offices at 815 Crosby St. The building’s multi-purpose room was transformed into Santa’s Workshop where Boys & Girls Clubs staff, aka “Santa’s Helpers,” spent hours sorting and wrapping toys for boys and girls at 23 Clubs in a five-county area.
In addition to Kroger, stand-out sponsors this year included Pappas Restaurants (largest volume sponsor) and GSFS Group (biggest impact). Unique holiday experiences have grown out of Santa Project to benefit Club families, including Pluckers Holiday Family Dinner, Houston Rockets Game Day, Houston Texan Nico Collins shopping spree, RG3 Foundation shopping spree, Academy Give Back and United Airlines Fantasy Flight to the North Pole.
“Through the Boys & Girls Clubs Santa Project, we are able to give parents that extra boost so they can share in the joy of Christmas morning,” says Kevin Hattery, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston President & CEO. “Kroger has long been a valued partner, and through the leadership of Laura Gump, Kroger President Houston and Louisiana, and her entire team, we surpassed all other years in terms of children and families served.”
“We are extremely grateful to our many corporate and individual donors who stepped up this year to help spread some holiday magic,” continues Hattery. “The community continues to support the Boys & Girls Clubs mission to help our Boys & Girls Clubs members and their families.”
Santa Project recipients who receive gifts are considered the most in need by Club Directors in 23 Clubs in a five-county area. The Directors work with parents or guardians to obtain wish lists for holiday gifts for each child or teen – both needed and wanted items. Individuals and companies then to go the Santa Project website to choose wish lists to fulfill.
This year, requested items included bicycles, electronics, sports equipment, games, toys, clothing and much more. Club directors deliver the gifts to parents in time for Christmas, which will be placed under their trees. The presents are designated to be given by either Santa Claus or the parents, depending on the age of the child, so that the parents are vested in the process.
To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, please visit www.bgcgh.org.
Photo caption: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston’s 14th annual Santa Project has set a record in 2022, fulfilling Christmas wish lists for nearly 2,000 children and teens.
Photo credit: Boys & Girls Clubs Greater of Greater Houston