Sharing is Caring Projects

I Never Grew Up is hosting our first Sharing is Caring Project. We are partnering up with the United Way to try and recruit people to help with the Sub for Santa Program.

I am looking for families that are willing to do this and share their family experience on my website. To share how they got their family involved and what their children learned in the process. Hopefully this will inspire others to donate to the United Way this holiday season.

Don’t live in Utah and would still like to participate in this? Find your local chapter of United Way and if you would like to share your story contact me at inevergrewup@gmail.com

More Information from Sub for Santa from United Way in Utah

What is Sub for Santa?

Sub for Santa is a temporary Christmas assistance program, which matches sponsors with families looking for help. Applicants will be provided with learning opportunities to help them better manage their money, time, and talents. As a result, children are given what every child deserves: a delightful Christmas Season.

I received the name of the family I’m going to sponsor. What should I do next?

Call your Sub for Santa family the week you receive their information, so they know they are receiving assistance. Use this call to arrange a time to deliver the gifts.

Verify information concerning children’s sizes and, if needed, ask for more gift ideas or specific interests of the children if needed (i.e. favorite color, music group, action figure, clothing style).

You are not required to provide expensive or extra gifts, even if they are requested. Sub for Santa is concerned about helping the children first. We do not ask you to help the parents, but you may do so if you wish.

How can I remain anonymous?

Phone: To ensure anonymity, dial *67 before calling the number and your call should be blocked from a Caller I.D.

E-mail: You are welcome to contact applicants via e-mail, if provided. However, please use discretion to remain anonymous. Also, phone calls may be the fastest way as the applicant may not use e-mail frequently.

What do I need to provide?

Sponsors are asked to provide two new items of clothing, two new toys and a book for each child.

How much money should I spend?

The purpose of Sub for Santa is to meet the basic needs of the children in each family. Providing an elaborate Christmas makes it difficult for parents to recreate a similar holiday the following year. Each sponsor spends money in different ways. Sponsors tend to spend approximately $50-$100 per child on the required gifts mentioned in number 3. If you would like to provide more, we suggest you call us for another family to help so they can receive a Christmas also.

Why shouldn’t I wrap the gifts I donate?

Put yourself in the recipient’s shoes; you were to receive gifts for your children from a stranger, wouldn’t you be curious to see what they were given? In addition, by letting the parents wrap the gifts, you share the experience and allow the parents to play a greater role in providing their children’s Christmas. Perhaps you could include wrapping paper and bows for the parents to use (this is optional, of course). It is always a good idea to put the gifts in a black garbage bag or box so the children won’t see them.

How can I be sure the family I sponsor really needs my help?

Sub for Santa is dedicated to helping people who cannot help themselves. An application process verifies that we help those who need it most.

To apply for assistance, a parent attends an application workshop where volunteer instructors teach budgeting skills and no-cost holiday traditions. We are also pleased to partner with the Provo City Library in promoting reading with children and other resources in the community. The primary purpose of our workshops is to encourage self-sufficiency.

A committee evaluates each application according to financial situation, other circumstances, and the number of years a family has or has not received Sub for Santa assistance.

What if the family I sponsor doesn’t speak English?

Many of the families who apply don’t speak English, but are still in great need of your help. There are not enough Spanish-speaking sponsors to help all the families who apply, so you may receive a family who does not speak English.

Be resourceful! Do you have a family member, neighbor, or co-worker who speaks Spanish and can help translate for you? In one phone call all of the necessary information can be answered and arrangements can be made. If you are experiencing difficulty, though, please contact our office and we will be happy to assist.

When should the gifts be delivered?

To respect the holiday traditions of the family you are sponsoring may have, we ask that you deliver gifts no later than Dec. 22. Christmas Eve deliveries are strongly discouraged.

Click here for the form to sign yourself up or call 801-356-6200

If you are interested in making a quick online financial donation to help the Utah County Sub for Santa Program click here.

Please post this Sharing is Caring Project on your blog! Just grab the code under the Sharing is Caring Button on the right hand side of this website.