Donate to Project Santa
Applications for Project Santa closed on October 31. If you would like to volunteer for the program, please choose the Help button. To make an online donation, choose the Give button. If you have any questions, please call WIRC at 309-837-2997 or email wirc@wirpc.org.
About Project Santa
The mission of Project Santa is to provide gifts and clothing to children of eligible households in Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties in western Illinois. Former WIRC & CAA Executive Director Suzan Nash and former Clothing Center Manager Teresa Cadle created the program in 1983.
Project Santa aims to give children a sense of security and grow their giving spirit. While Santa is in the name, it is not a Christmas program; people of all beliefs are welcome to participate in the joy of giving gifts to their children.
“A few years ago, we helped a little girl who was more excited about getting a new winter coat than her toys,” said Roth. “That little girl was not an isolated case; other children have been excited about having their own blankets and shoes. The children we help, and their parents, are often worrying about things that many of us take for granted.”
Jamie Roth, Community Services & Public Relations Director
Who is eligible?
To qualify, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- You have children ages 18 or younger.
- You live in Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, or Warren counties in Illinois.
- Your household’s total monthly income is within the program’s limits (see chart).
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit (Gross) |
| 2 people | $3,287 per month |
| 3 people | $4,143 per month |
| 4 people | $5,000 per month |
| 5 people | $5,857 per month |
| 6 people | $6,713 per month |
| 7 people | $7,570 per month |
| 8 people | $7,775 per month |
| 9 people | $7,944 per month |
How is Project Santa funded?
Project Santa is entirely funded by donations from the public and funding secured by WIRC.
Be a helper
There are several ways you can help:
Be a Sponsor
These special elves shop for an anonymous child on their own time using their own funds. Sponsors must spend at least $100 on each child, including toys and clothing.
Be a Shopper or Sorter
We need helpers to shop for and sort the thousands of gifts we plan to purchase this year. This can be a great opportunity for businesses, families, clubs and caring individuals to help us fill Santa’s sleigh.
Shopping volunteers donate their time by shopping as a group with the Project Santa Team in Macomb. Shoppers are critical with helping us find gifts for children who have not been sponsored.
Sorting volunteers are people who enjoying organizing and are detail-oriented. They help us with making sure each gift that is purchased is going to the correct child. Sorting opportunities start in mid-November and end in early December.
Be a Donor – Donate Online
Your monetary donation will be used to help purchase gifts for the children and to support the program. You can make a cash donation or donate on our website. Donors, like you, keep this special program going! On average, we spend $125 on toys, gifts and clothing for each child enrolled.
Our online donation portal is being updated. Please come back again later.
Be A Donor – Donate by Check
To make a cash donation, please write “Project Santa” on the memo line and mail your contribution to WIRC, 133 West Jackson Street, Macomb, IL 61455.