About Us

The Christmas Project, A Project of Love.

The Christmas Project, A Project of Love. With your help we are able to provide gifts and food certificates for migrant and needy families, in south Santa Cruz County.

The Christmas Project provides toys, gifts, and food to needy children and adults mainly in the Migrant Labor Camps of Santa Cruz County. Each family member has the opportunity to make their Christmas wish request. Your individual donation makes it possible for each child and adult to receive the gift they requested. Volunteers deliver the wrapped packages directly to the residents of the camps.

Our story

How it began

The Christmas Project began in 1978 in response to the needs of many children in Santa Cruz County, including children served by Child Protective Services. Gladys Anderson met Maria, a twelve-year-old girl who wanted a doll for Christmas. She had never had a doll and her mother could not afford to buy one. After telling her office about Maria, a colleague brought a doll to work. Gladys’ children gathered toys to share, and The Christmas Project was born.

Since that time, people from our community have volunteered countless hours to help with the Christmas Project. Their word-of-mouth efforts have brought Christmas joy to children and families in need.

How we help

Gifts, dinner, and something for everyone

Gifts for the Kids

Every child has a Christmas Dream. Nine year old Gaby asked for a Guitar, Lupita wished for a Barbie doll, Erica needed a bike so she could get to school and work, Jose couldn’t wait for a pair of tennis shoes with lights, Juan asked for a winter jacket, and Liliana wanted some perfume for her mother.

A family receiving a grocery gift certificate

Christmas Dinner

Every family deserves to have a Christmas Dinner. In partnership with the First Harvest Food Bank every family gets a gift basket full of food. When we deliver the presents every family also gets a Gift Certificate to the local grocery store.

A Gift for the Parents

The parents are very dedicated to their families and many of them work in our agricultural fields picking the crops we eat. We make sure that each person gets a gift. Often they request a blanket or jacket to keep warm or a bike so they can get to work.

Help a family this Christmas

Your donation will make it possible to fulfill the dreams and wishes of needy families in the migrant camps.

Donate

Questions?

Call Gladys Anderson at 831-426-2264.