Santa Claus Anonymous
| Founded | 1934 |
|---|---|
| Type | Social |
| Focus | Children, Christmas gifts |
| Location |
|
Region served | Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area |
| Method | Gift certificate distribution |
| Employees | 1 |
| Website | santaclausanonymous |
Formerly called | Christmas Party Inc |
Santa Claus Anonymous, Inc is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit Baltimore City based charity,[1] that provides gift certificates to families in Baltimore City and seven neighboring counties in Maryland during the holiday season.[2] The organization was founded in 1934 by Theodore McKeldin, Baltimore mayor. The organization raises funds within the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area to provide holiday presents to children in need.[3]
History
The organization started out as a Christmas party organized in 1934 by the newly formed Baltimore Junior Association of Commerce to provide holiday gifts to 5,000 children from low-income households; the association was then headed by Theodore McKeldin who later became a mayor of Baltimore. A year later, three additional groups joined the association, the Junior League of Baltimore, Loews Century and the Evening Sun.[4] The group held the biggest Christmas party in Baltimore in the later 1940s and 1950s, and the number of gift recipients grew from 5,000 to reach 7,000.[5] In 1947, the organization then known as Christmas Party, Inc. began mailing gift certificates to a number of parents in low-income households from a list obtained from the Department of Welfare in Baltimore. The idea was that a gift from a parent is appreciated more by the children than a gift received from a stranger.[6] In 1948, the group started an annual dance to benefit their mission. By 1956, the group changed the organization's name from Christmas Party, Inc to Santa Claus Anonymous.[7][8]
Activities
Santa Claus Anonymous hosts an annual wine and beer tasting fundraiser in December, supplemented by various year-long volunteer events. These efforts support the organization's core mission of raising holiday funds for children, replacing past events like the marathon football fundraiser.
References
- ↑ Reddy, S. (2005, Jan 01). Santa claus anonymous $100,000 in the red; contributions fell short of charity's budgeted aid. The Sun.
- ↑ "Santa Claus Anonymous – Give a child a Christmas". www.santaclausanonymous.org. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ↑ Chip Brown (1979-12-16). "Economy Is Hurting Christmas Charities". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.
- ↑ 1935, Dec 08). The Sun.
- ↑ 7,000 children made happy by annual christmas party. (1940, Dec 23). The Sun.
- ↑ "Santa Claus Anonymous Provides Christmas For Children - CBS Baltimore". www.cbsnews.com. 2014-12-26. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ↑ Christmas charity dance. (1954, Nov 07). The Sun.
- ↑ "HABC Partners with Santa Claus Anonymous to Help Families in Need This Holiday Season". www.habc.org. Retrieved 2023-08-15.