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