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About Project Santa
The mission of Project Santa is to provide gifts and clothing to children of eligible households in Hancock, Henderson, and McDonough counties in western Illinois. Former WIRC 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.
“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 adults, 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:
- Your children are age 18 or younger and live primarily with you.
- You live in Hancock, Henderson, or McDonough 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 | $3,525 per month |
| 3 people | $4,442 per month |
| 4 people | $5,358 per month |
| 5 people | $6,275 per month |
| 6 people | $7,192 per month |
| Each additional person | Add $917 |
How is Project Santa funded?
Project Santa is entirely funded by donations from the public. People in communities throughout western Illinois donate and volunteer to bring joy to children.
Volunteer
There are several ways you can help:
Sponsor
Donate your time and money to purchase gifts for children. You will be provided by WIRC with wish lists for the number of children you list. A shopping guide will be provided to you, to help you follow program rules. Sponsors can expect to spend around $125 on each child.
Shopper or Sorter
This can be a great opportunity for businesses, families, clubs and caring individuals.
- Shopping volunteers donate their time to shop for gifts with members of the Project Santa Team. Shoppers are critical with helping us find thousands of gifts for children who have not been sponsored.
- Sorting is great for people who enjoy organizing and checking lists. 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.
Donate
Your monetary donation will be used to purchase gifts for children and to support the program. Donors, like you, keep this special program going! On average, we spend $125 on toys, gifts and clothing for each child enrolled.
Online
The link below will take you to our Give Butter fundraising page for Project Santa.
Check or Cash
For checks, please write “Project Santa” on the memo line and mail or hand-deliver your contribution to:
WIRC
Attn: Project Santa
133 West Jackson Street
Macomb, IL 61455
Donations are accepted year-round.
Contact Us
- Email: projectsanta@wirpc.org
- Call: 309-837-2997
- Chat: Start a chat here on our website (look for the chat bubble).