The Christmas Project

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At the end of each year, The Center for Children and Families magically transforms into “Santa’s Workshop” filled with toys, clothing, and gifts of all shapes and sizes for local kids in need! It’s all part of The Christmas Project, an annual community gift drive that ensures every child we serve gets to experience the joy of Christmas morning.

The children served by The Christmas Project are in a variety of tough situations. Some are in foster care, having been removed from an abusive or neglectful home. Others are struggling families; some of the most impoverished in our area. These children are served by one of the programs of The Center for Children and Families, ranging from CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and Therapeutic Services, to the CAC (Children’s Advocacy Center) and Brokers of Hope.

The Christmas Project began in 2005 when many of our employees struggled with the thought that while they would be able to provide Christmas gifts for their own families, many of the children they worked with would have nothing for Christmas. The first Christmas Project started small. Thirty-four soccer balls were donated by Cross Keys Bank to provide something for the children we served. From that small seed The Christmas Project has grown, now providing gifts for hundreds of local children each year. Providing this many gifts isn’t something we could do on our own. We have dedicated sponsors to thank for continually supporting The Christmas Project and making Christmas wishes come true for children of all ages across Northeast Louisiana.

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What makes The Christmas Project different from other toy drives is the unique opportunity to provide gifts for a specific child right here in our community. From coat and shoe sizes, to a favorite character or sports activity, you will be shopping with one very special child in mind. It is an incredible experience to provide for the individual needs represented on each Christmas Project Wish List.  Because of your willingness to give, a child will soon discover that wishes really can come true, even in the most difficult of times.

We also take special care in the delivery of gifts. After your individual Wish List is completed and dropped off at our main office, all items are checked and placed in unmarked bags to be delivered to families before Christmas morning. This gives parents and caregivers the important opportunity to label gifts in a way that is meaningful for families, and is often a significant step towards healing and hope. We continue to be thankful and amazed at how our community comes together to make this vital mission possible! 

What can I expect on a Wish List?
Each Christmas Project Wish List will have sizes for one complete outfit of clothing for your sponsored child: Shirt, Pants, Shoes, and Coat, as well as other toy or gift ideas (
under $50).  At a minimum, we ask that each child receives at least one clothing outfit as well as one age appropriate toy or gift on their wish list. This is the minimum requirement, however there is no limit to how much you can do to brighten your sponsored child's Christmas! 
Get Ready! 
Christmas Project Wish Lists are available now! To sponsor a child this Christmas, simply submit the form below and a wish list will be emailed to you as soon as they are finalized. You can submit a request as an individual, or request multiple lists for your business or organization.  Thank you for spreading cheer this holiday season!

It's official! Thanks to you, all 2022 Christmas Project Wish Lists have been sponsored!

After you have received your Christmas Wish List and finished shopping, simply drop off the gifts to our office at 622 Riverside Drive for Monroe or 3003 Knight Street Suite 115 for Shreveport depending on your region of request. Please place all unwrapped gifts in a large bag that can be easily opened with the identifying list attached. 

Deadline to Return Gifts is November 28th for Monroe Office.

Thank you for partnering with us to help make the holiday season bright for the families we serve! Merry Christmas!

Don't have time to shop? No worries! Donations can easily be made to help a child this Christmas.

We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from these Corporate Sponsors:

TC Energy Foundation

Nettech

Qualifacts Systems

Thomas & Farr

Snellings, Breard, Sartor, Inabnett & Trascher, LLP

Chick-fil-A

Rhino Coffee

COMO Charitable Foundation

JBJ Foundation

David and Laura Hartt

JWeinland Group Benefits

Payroll Plus

​Entergy

​Simply Southern Catering

​Now Save Stores

Eastern Energy Services

​Holstead’s

Leger Family Dentistry

Jackson Vaughn Agency

Bull Buteau Foundation

​Snellings, Breard, Sartor, Inabnett & Trascher, LLP

​Buff City Soap - Lafayette