You made a miracle happen: Thank you from Black Santa!
Dear Black Santa Family,
As I sit down to write this, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and awe for what we accomplished together. There was a moment — yes, a moment — when I doubted. A moment when the hurdles seemed too high, the time too short, and the goal too great. But then, I remembered the wisdom of our ancestors, who faced trials far greater and still pressed forward. I held onto the promise found in Galatians 6:9: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not give up.”
And family, we reaped.
This year, we didn’t just meet our goals; we surpassed them and we gathered over 10,000 toys. Together, we ensured that not one child walked away empty-handed and that countless families felt the joy and love this season represents. What’s more, we have a strong foundation of toys to carry us into next year, proving that with faith, hard work, and unity, anything is possible.
When I look back, I see the faces of children laughing in delight, the tears of parents who felt seen and supported, and the way each of you showed up — not just with your time but with your hearts. Those moments are a testament to the power of community, the power of love, and the power of belief.
Of course, there were bumps along the way — there always are. But even in those moments, you carried the spirit of our ancestors, who whispered, “Keep going. You’ve got this.” You showed patience, grace, and turned challenges into opportunities to shine even brighter.
Now, as we close out this extraordinary season, let us come together one more time. Join us for breakfast for dinner with Black Santa on Monday at 6:00 PM at Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center. Wear your coziest PJs, bring a dish to share, and let us break bread in celebration of what we’ve accomplished and the families we’ve uplifted. And for those who can, we need your helping hands on Saturday, January 4th at 11:00 AM as we move the remaining toys from Manual High School.
You have been the hands and feet of a miracle. You have embodied the legacy of those who came before us and inspired hope for those yet to come. Know this: because of you, lives were changed. Because of you, a little boy, girl, or person will smile a little brighter, laugh a little louder, and believe a little stronger.
On January 1, we will kick off the new year with an announcement that will shape the future of the Black Santa Project in extraordinary ways. This exciting news will mark the beginning of a bold new chapter in our mission to serve, uplift, and bring joy to our community. You won’t want to miss this moment as we unveil our plans to expand our impact and continue building on the legacy we’ve created together. Stay tuned — this announcement is just the start of something even greater!
To our incredible partners, thank you for being the backbone of this year’s success. Your unwavering support, resources, and belief in the Black Santa Project turned dreams into reality and brought joy to countless families. You’ve been more than partners — you’ve been champions of our mission, helping us create lasting memories and brighter futures. We are honored to stand with you and look forward to continuing this journey together as we make an even greater impact.
Thank you. Thank you for your heart, your patience, and your belief that together, we could do something extraordinary. Let us carry this spirit into Monday, into January, and into every moment ahead.
Finally, many of you have reached out asking, “What does Black Santa need to take care of himself , and how can I help?” I have some answers and would love to encourage you to reach out to me directly to see how you can support!
Find all of our amazing 2024 photographs here (Photo Credit, Vince Chandler): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Z9abYXVC237V-cFyhvSU1AAe-8dygw0U?usp=drive_link
Merry Christmas, Auon’tai Anderson | Founder, Black Santa Project
