When Cannon Meiers launched his hot apple cider and homemade cookie stand at seven years old in support of the Sonoma County Secret Santa program, his goal was simple: bring joy to local kids and families during the holidays. Since then, Cannon’s efforts have raised $84,170 over 11 years of service.

In 2025 Cannon is thinking big with a fundraising goal of $40,000, and he’s inviting you to join in — not just as a donor, but as a co-creator of joy.

SECRET SANTA FUNDRAISER

For over 30 years, Sonoma County Secret Santa, powered by the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL), has fulfilled Christmas wishes including toys, bicycles, food, clothing, shelter and healthcare. More than 20,000 gifts are given annually with the help of nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers.

Cannon has long been one of those volunteers and his service resulted in two recent community awards for philanthropic leadership: a Heart of Sonoma County award from CVNL and a merit award from the City of Santa Rosa.

CANNON’S STORY

His focus has always been helping others, and he got his start with his first homemade hot apple cider and cookie holiday fundraising stand. "We started by dropping off money at the Secret Santa KZST radio marathon, but the true magic began when Cannon was inspired to shop for gifts,” said Cannon’s mom, Amy. He then put on his favorite Christmas outfit and volunteered to pick up hundreds of gifts from businesses and deliver them to the program’s ‘North Pole.’

Cannon is no stranger to adversity. He was born with trisomy 14 mosaicism, a rare chromosome disorder characterized by growth delays which have physical and cognitive impacts. Still, he’s a teenager with outsized compassion and generosity. His inherent nature is to be inclusive and his purpose for volunteering is to create equity and belonging within his community.

WHAT HE ACHIEVED & WHY HE’S ENERGIZED

Cannon has proven to be an inspiration to family, friends, and strangers alike. In 2023, his philanthropy was supercharged by Bay Area media and resulted in a boy with special needs and his family driving two hours north to meet Cannon and make a donation. More locally, an eight-year-old girl arrived at his cookie stand with her piggy bank and donated her saved allowance to ensure other kids had presents on Christmas morning. In that 10th year of service, he knocked his $10,000 goal out of the park with more than $33,000 raised.

In 2024, over 1,500 sugar and spice molasses cookies were made by Cannon and Amy using donated ingredients from local purveyors. With an extra dash of involvement from his dad Aivars who is with the Santa Rosa Fire Department, public-safety teams and elected officials from across the region rallied — and yes, competed — to aid Cannon’s mission. The overwhelming support from nearly 150 firefighters, law enforcement, and other first-responders stepped in to boost the effort and raise awareness.

“Dreams and goals should be really big and a little scary,” Amy has always told her son, and Cannon continues to rise to the challenge — because that kind of community momentum tells him: when we inspire others and pull together, we amplify impact.

“This has become my favorite holiday tradition. I love seeing my friends, neighbors, and community come together to make a difference. The best part is imagining people opening their gifts on Christmas morning, knowing we helped make that moment happen. Just because I’m a kid doesn’t mean I can’t do big things for my community. My name has ‘Can’ in it for a reason — we can do awesome things together.” Cannon Meiers

FEELING INSPIRED?

Raising $40,000 is ambitious, but it’s entirely possible when we rally together. Whether it’s eating his homemade cookies, sharing this page or following his philanthropic journey on Instagram, you matter. And whether your tax-deductible donation is $10 or $1,000, every contribution lifts a life.

Let’s do this. Let’s turn ambition into action. Let’s raise every dollar, share every story, and build a brighter holiday for Sonoma County.

Cannon and his family are sincerely grateful for your generosity and partnership. Merry Christmas! ❤️🌲🎁

2025 hot apple cider and cookie stand dates: December 6-7 and 12-14 at 1140 Spencer Ave, Santa Rosa.

Cannon's 12th Annual Secret Santa Fundraiser

By Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership

Cannon's 12th Annual Secret Santa Fundraiser

"Just because I’m a kid doesn’t mean I can’t do big things for my community."