While Saint Francis has likely been brightening children’s holidays for decades, Christmas for Kids (CFK) officially began in 2000 – making this the 25th anniversary of the beloved tradition, celebrated during SFM’s 80th year.
Representatives from programs and local offices are serving on the 2025 CFK Committee to ensure that every child and family served by SFM experiences the joy and wonder of the season. This year’s campaign again features Hope Tree cards that connect donors directly with children’s wishes.
“Christmas for Kids is our longest-running and most visible fundraising campaign,” says Ginny Ellis, Executive Director of Development. “Each year, it allows us to share the joy and wonder of Christmas while nurturing relationships across our footprint. It’s a busy season and an enormous undertaking that involves nearly every department – but it generates so much hope and good cheer. It’s truly a highlight of our year.”
Christmas for Kids brings the hope, love, and magic of the season to every child Saint Francis serves – whether in foster care, adoption, residential treatment, or prevention programs that support families working hard to stay whole.
The simple act of making a financial contribution or gift-in-kind to Christmas for Kids has the power to transform a child’s holiday. A toy, a game, or even a new book isn’t just a gift – it’s a reminder that they matter, that they are cherished and remembered.
Saint Francis employees look forward to Christmas for Kids every year as an opportunity to bring Christmas joy to the children and families they serve.
The Saint Francis Ministries Foundation has created a Christmas for Kids Toolkit to help faith communities and organizations support this year’s campaign. The toolkit includes ready-to-use resources such as bulletin inserts, posters, graphics, and information about Hope Tree cards.
To request the toolkit, contact the Foundation at foundation@st-francis.org.
To learn more or donate to Christmas for Kids, visit saintfrancisministries.org/christmas-for-kids.
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