JCI Launches 2019 Santa’s Helpers Appeal

Calling all elves! Christmas is just around the corner and Santa needs your help! JCI Santa Clarita, affectionately known as the Jaycees, has kicked off their annual holiday project – Santa’s Helpers – which provides an unforgettable Christmas to underprivileged youths in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Twenty years ago, the founding Santa Clarita Jaycees wanted to establish a way to give back to the community during the holiday season and Santa’s Helpers was born. In its early years, the Jaycees organized a toy drive to fulfill the wishes of children who wrote to Santa. Their gifts were then delivered by Jaycees who dressed up as Santa and his merry elves on Christmas Eve. Traditionally serving over 200 children each year, Santa’s Helpers expanded its traditional toy drive to include a Christmas party for Santa Clarita Valley’s underprivileged families.
Toys are collected throughout the Santa Clarita Valley and JCI Santa Clarita is grateful to Starbucks for our continued and deepening partnership. Donation boxes for toys as well as gift cards will be in every Starbucks Location in Santa Clarita Valley. In addition, many local businesses will be hosting boxes including the SCV Book Exchange, Santa Clarita Magazine and Henry Mayo Health and Fitness.
Lists are given to JCI Santa Clarita by local nonprofits and we aim to support each child with three to four gifts. Non-profits we work with include, Child and Family Center, Single Mothers Outreach, Bridge to Home, Domestic Violence Shelter and Family Promise.
New for 2019, JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce a new partnership with Westfield Valencia Town Center. We are grateful to Corrine Barchanowicz and Audra Cheney of Westfield for their kind assistance. This year the Jaycees will be hosting a holiday party at Westfield Valencia Town Center complete with Ice Skating (thanks to the LA Kings), meeting Santa and a holiday party at Dudes Brewery.
Unlike other toy drives, Santa’s Helpers helps infant to 18-year-old’s, as children turn into teenagers, requests are often for gift cards rather than traditional toys. In order to help fundraise, JCI Santa Clarita will be hosting a holiday party on November 21st from 7pm at Westfield Town Center as well as hosting a “Turkey Trot” with the Paseo Club on Thanksgiving Day (November 28) from 8 a.m.
The Jaycees will also be spreading holiday cheer with an event at Bridge To Home to help our local homeless population as well as working with Fostering Youth Independence helping foster youth ages 16 to 25 years old.
JCI Santa Clarita appreciates its partners and sponsors – Westfield Valencia Town Center, Santa Clarita Magazine, The Paseo Club, and BJ’s Brewhouse Valencia – who continually aid in providing a memorable Christmas for many of these families. However, the Jaycees cannot do it alone! Sponsorships are available from $100 to $3,000 by contacting volunteer4santa@gmail.com. New this year is sponsoring a Christmas Tree which will be displayed at our holiday party and then raffled off to one of the families we assist.
Interested in spreading some holiday cheer? Visit The Santa’s Helpers website where you can see all of our donation locations, events and volunteer opportunities http://www.santashelpersscv.com.