Christmas Hope is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to bringing joy and hope to families in need across the greater Sacramento area. Our mission is to share the magic of Christmas while protecting the dignity and privacy of those we serve.
Each year, generous donors anonymously adopt local families facing hardship. On Christmas Eve, Santa personally delivers gifts and comfort to their homes, reminding them they are not forgotten. The identities of donors and referring partners remain confidential, and no photos or videos are taken. Only Santa meets the families face-to-face. When that door opens, the moment is pure magic. The laughter of children and the relief on parents’ faces capture the true spirit of the season: hope, love, and community.
As a donor or volunteer, you become part of this heartfelt tradition. After Christmas Eve, we share stories of the joy and gratitude your kindness created. These moments remind us all of the quiet power of generosity and the difference it makes in our neighbors’ lives.
This was a small family, with a single mom and an 11-year-old boy. Their profile mentioned that the dad had been deported and that Mom was battling cancer. The boy opened the door and let me in, pleasantly surprised to see Santa. Mom, unaware, came out of the bathroom and got scared. I assured her that today was Christmas Eve and that I was supposed to be there, but she was very nervous and kept asking her son if he knew what was going on. I opened my bag and gave them each their gift, which calmed her a little. I then asked the boy how his year had been, and he got sad and started crying. He mentioned that he really missed his dad. I told him I was sorry he had a rough year, and I was hoping to help him feel a little better. He followed me to the door and was quite surprised to see the many bags. Once all the gifts were inside, his mom lost it and was crying loudly. I offered to have a photo taken with the boy, and he got up and left for the bathroom. I thought perhaps he went to straighten out his hair, but instead, he came out with tissue for his crying mom. She barely could hold her hand still, shaking so much from the emotions, but the photos were taken and Santa left this wonderfully sweet boy with a knot in his throat.
When we arrived at the home, we discovered it was surrounded by a tall gate, so tall that Santa could not jump over it. We could see the family inside, but there was no doorbell, no way to alert them of Santa’s presence. Luckily, a neighbor drove by and figured out what was going on, and when I asked if they had their phone number, they proceeded to hit their car horn nonstop until Mom, who was doing dishes in the kitchen, finally heard us and came running out. Then the combination lock would not open, and the kids, who had run out to see Santa, got quite restless. Finally, the lock opened and I followed them inside. I closed the door behind me and got comfortable since I knew the elves needed some time. Grandpa was quite excited to see Santa, almost more than the kids. Grandpa kept asking Mom what was going on, and Mom kept insisting she had no idea. When we finally got to open the door, it was likely the loudest reaction I have ever experienced. The entire family, kids, and adults alike started screaming at the top of their lungs. My ears rang for hours after. Usually, it’s the kids that scream and the adults that cry, however at this family the mom lost her mind screaming, and the young daughters were crying and holding each other. It was a very overwhelming emotional reaction by all. Once the gift bags were dragged inside, the scene got even wilder. The kids took turns hugging Santa, and Mom was so excited, she kept jumping up and down around the room, and in her excitement would inadvertently drop her sweat pants. A full moon indeed. I managed to sneak out eventually, but not without many hugs, thank yous and a bag of home-baked cookies.