The holidays become a time we reflect on being thankful for all we have and to think about how we can help those less fortunate. A great way to help is by donating during the Fifth Annual “12 Days of Giving” holiday campaign (Nov. 12-29) where your donation is doubled due to the matching funds provided by generous partnerships with the Community Foundation for San Benito County and United Way of San Benito County and these generous sponsors: Tiffany Motor Company, Teknova, True Leaf Farms, Hollister Rotary, Pierce Real Estate, City of Hollister, Recology and Grocery Outlet.
This important fundraising event is an irreplaceable way to connect the community to five local nonprofits that provide essential services year round, not just during the holidays. Your donation during 12 Days of Giving will help these organizations: CASA, Community Food Bank, Salvation Army, Emmaus House and Chamberlain’s Children Center.
When a child arrives at Chamberlain’s, typically they come with very little. Maybe a garbage bag partially filled with their possessions like a few used clothes and a worn toy or book. They arrive scared, angry, lonely. Because of the funding provided by 12 Days of Giving, Chamberlain’s is able to take those children shopping for new things such as much needed clothes and shoes and more. 12 Days of Giving provides funding to assist Chamberlain’s ability to provide everything a child needs — things we take for granted but these kids may never have had from simple things like a toothbrush, shoes that fit or a soft warm jacket to ward off the winter chill.
Some of these children have never experienced much happiness, especially a happy holiday season like so many families have. The Chamberlain’s staff works extra hard this time of year to help create new, happy memories for the children that will last well beyond their time at Chamberlain’s. Last year, all 24 children went shopping for new clothes, spent the day at the Gilroy Gardens' holiday show, went out for lunch, watched the holiday parades and saw lots of festive Christmas lights. On Christmas morning, the children are surprised with wrapped gifts under the tree (shhhh, Santa brings new bikes!) and a delicious Christmas breakfast and dinner. The fun continues during the winter break with outings planned like going to the movies, visiting museums. The look of joy on their faces each and every time is priceless — bright, happy and grateful! They can’t believe they get to keep what they received or that they got to do a fun outing such as travel to San Francisco to wander the Academy of Science or eat lunch out at a local restaurant or pet a elephant at the zoo. 12 Days of Giving funds helps provide this and so much more, which adds so much to the health of the Chamberlains' kids.
12 Days funds go well beyond the holidays as, like any other family, the children living at Chamberlain's need items year round, but the campaign for doubling your donation is not year-round. Please consider donating to Chamberlain’s during 12 Days of Giving, where your donation will be matched! No donation is too small. Note: in order for donations to be matched, checks must be dated between Nov.12-29 and “12 Days” written in the memo. Mail to P.O. Box 1269, Hollister, CA 95024 or donate online (click the "12 Days" button) between those dates at www.chamberlaincc.org
About Chamberlain’s Children Center
Chamberlain’s is celebrating 40 years in Hollister and is a Level 12 group home that provides a safe environment for at risk foster youth, ages 6-17 years, who have experienced abuse and neglect during their young lives. Chamberlain’s provides a loving home, support, nutritious food, wellness activities, case management, therapy and more for each child. For more information, please visit www.chamberlaincc.org, call 831-636-2121 ext. 129 or email [email protected].
