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Santa Tree
October 1, 2023 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
While proudly organized by Athens County Children Services, this project is funded by the generosity of individuals, families and businesses here in Athens County. 2022 marks 35 years we have been working together to provide holiday gifts to Athens County children through the Santa Tree Project.
We are collecting wish lists from each individual child we are serving, and sharing those lists with the community. For every child, we will craft a holiday ornament that lists their name, age, and a few holiday wishes. We will make those available so the community can shop directly for the children. We know this is a beloved tradition for so many, and we are excited to be able to continue it this year.
Ways to help:
1. Monetary donations are also encouraged and are used to meet many of the last minute and special requests that we receive.
Checks can be mailed to PO Box 1046, Athens, OH 45701. Checks should be made out to FRIENDS OF CHILDREN SERVICES, with “Santa Tree Project” included in the memo line.
2. Visit athenscountysantaproject.blogspot.com to make an online donation through PayPal.
3. Select an item from our Amazon Wish List! Our Amazon Wish List has some of our most requested items. If you purchase from that list, the items will be shipped directly to us!
Click here to see our Amazon Wish List!
4. We would love to work with your organization to provide gifts for 5, 25, or more children! We will mail, deliver, or email the “ornaments” for however many children you would like to shop for. Every “ornament” will have the name, age, and holiday wishes for a child we are working with. We will also be happy to pick those gifts up when they are ready – let us know if you are interested in our curbside pick-up option!
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 740.592.3061, or email athenscountysantaproject@gmail.com.
Santa Tree Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I shop for a child?
- Go to The Market on State and select an “ornament” from the Santa Tree. Every “ornament” will have the name, age, and holiday wishes for a child we are working with.
- Call us at 740-592-3061 ext. 448 and leave a message with your contact info and how many children you would like to shop for.
- Sent us an email to athenscountysantaproject@gmail.com
- I want to help, but don’t have time to go shopping, are there other ways to donate?
- You can donate ONLINE at AthensCountySantaProject.Blogspot.com
- Checks can be mailed to Friends of Children Services – PO Box 1046, Athens, OH 45701
- You can also visit http://athenscountysantaproject.blogspot.com and from there click on the link to view our Amazon Wish List. Items on our Amazon Wish List are some of our most requested items and when purchased from our Wish List, get shipped directly to our agency.
- When are the gifts due back?
- Friday, December 9th
- Gifts can be dropped off at The Market on State. There is a gift return bin in the middle of the mall. The bin is checked several times a day, every day, and has been used safely for over 20 years. The Market on State’s facilities staff assist the agency with checking the bin and keeping an eye on the gifts until they can be picked up.
- Gifts can also be dropped off at ACCS building 10, M-F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
- Do the gifts need to be wrapped?
- Please do not wrap gifts. While supplies and funding permits, we will provide families with wrapping paper.
- If my caseworker signed me up, when and where can I pick up my gifts?
- Check with your caseworker.
- Where can people drop off their gifts?
- Gifts can be dropped off at The Market on State. There is a gift return bin in the middle of the mall. The bin is checked several times a day, every day, and has been used safely for over 20 years. The Market on State’s facilities staff assist the agency with checking the bin and keeping an eye on the gifts until they can be picked up.
- Gifts can also be dropped off at ACCS building 10, M-F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
- How many children does this project help?
- This year, we expect to provide holiday gifts to 400 Athens County Families, or approximately 1000 children.
- Are all the children in ACCS Foster care?
- About 1/3 of the children served in through the Santa Tree Project are in traditional foster care. Others are in kinship placements or are otherwise working with our caseworkers. 100 % of the children are signed up by our casework staff, who know the families and will be delivering or contact the families to pick up their gifts.
- Will there be an opportunity for families NOT working with ACCS to sign up?
- At this time, we do not have plans to offer a public sign-up period. We currently lack essential physical resources to be able to extend the Santa Tree Public to the public.