CHRISTMAS HOPE
Christmas Hope seeks to reflect Jesus' love as we serve families in Gainesville-Hall County by providing clothing and gifts for elementary and middle-grade children at Christmas.
CHRISTMAS HOPE
Christmas Hope, previously known as the Secret Santa ministry, served the Gainesville-Hall County [Georgia] community for more than 30 years. Secret Santa co-chairs, Wanda Oliver and Joyce Patrick made the decision to retire from ministry in 2018 after serving thousands of children and families in the community through the years.
The name might have changed, but the mission remains the same!
Laura and Kimberly, current Christmas Hope co-chairs, previously served as Secret Santa coordinators at Corinth Baptist Church for several years and used to talk about, “one day when we retire, that [Secret Santa] ministry is something we might like to do.” Although not yet retired, they couldn’t let this ministry cease to exist.
Laura and Kimberly were inspired to step-up in leadership roles, and feel called to continue this important ministry for the community, while continuing to grow and set new goals for Christmas Hope.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Volunteers, sponsors, and donors are all needed to support Christmas Hope in order for the ministry to provide
Christmas gifts for each family who applies for their child(ren) and meets the eligibility criteria.
SUMMARY OF HOW CHRISTMAS HOPE HAS SERVED THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE YEARS
2019 - 111 KIDS
2020 - 159 KIDS
2021- 185 KIDS
2022 - 246 KIDS
2023 - 262 KIDS
Hall County Christmas Collaborative
In 2021, several community organizations including Christmas Hope, gathered together to form the Hall County Christmas Collaborative,
in an effort to increase access to Christmas assistance for families with children, as well as provide a common process for receiving
applications so organizations could easily prevent duplication of services and be assured to help as many families in need as possible.
ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING AS OF 2022
Christmas Hope, Cresswind at Lake Lanier, Family Promise, Flowery Branch Chiropractic, Gainesville Jaycees,
The Rotary Club of Gainesville, The Salvation Army, Secret Santa Car Show, Shop with a Cop, Syfan Logistics, Toys for Tots, We Care
as well as a number of local churches, both through these organizations and directly through the collaborative effort.