The holiday season can be a troubling time for struggling children and their caregivers, alike.

❄️Children wonder if they will go hungry over the next few weeks, while their peers celebrate with large family feasts and excitedly wait to open the colorfully wrapped gifts picked just for them. Caregivers of those children dread explaining to their children why they are not getting any gifts this year; that they did nothing wrong and are not being punished.

🎁 Those stories of heartbreak during the holidays are just a few reasons why WIRC-Community Action Agency (WIRC) started the Project Santa program in 1983.

⛄ Project Santa empowers caregivers to give their children gifts and clothing during the holiday season, when they otherwise could not afford to do so themselves.

Each child who qualifies receives approximately $125 worth of gifts and winter clothing, based on their wish list.
Gifts are provided to caregivers unwrapped, so they have a greater part in the gift-giving process and can distribute the items to their kids based on their family’s culture and traditions.

💵 This program is funded 100% by community donations. We need your help to support the holiday magic this program brings to hundreds of children and their families each year.

WIRC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Donate to Project Santa

Give children in western Illinois a happy holiday.

Team Members