There Really Is A Santa Claus

There Really Is A Santa Claus is making Christmas special for families in need through donating gifts and other necessities.

Each year, thousands of Chicago families pin their hopes of a Merry Christmas on "Dear Santa" letters. Thousands of Dear Santa letters arrive at the post office and most will never be answered. There Really Is A Santa Claus is changing that. They provide a giving experience unlike any other. Thousands of Chicagoans struggle to pay utility bills, put food on the table or purchase a winter coat. Putting a gift under the tree on Christmas morning is unthinkable. There Really Is A Santa Claus provides an intimate, grass roots opportunity to give back to those in need. They give volunteers the opportunity to be as involved as they like, and they manage all communications between the families and the volunteers. Whereas many organizations have you donate a wrapped gift for an anonymous child, they “introduce” volunteers to the child and his/her family.

There Really Is A Santa Claus reads the thousands of "Dear Santa" letters that are sent to the Main Post Office each year and selects the most deserving families to add some magic to their Christmas. They then contact the families to hear what their needs are and they relay this information to volunteers. Then, volunteers can be involved in the shopping, wrapping, and delivery process if they choose to do so. Since the organization's founding in 2002, There Really Is A Santa Claus has purchased $250,000 worth of gifts for 250 families and 1,250 individuals.