2024 Dear Santa Helper Project & FOP's First Campaign Drive! 

"Bringing Joy to Parkside Children Every Christmas Since 1993"

Join us in continuing the cherished tradition of spreading holiday cheer to the children of Parkside! For over 30 years, the Dear Santa Helper Project has provided toys, winter essentials, and holiday memories for hundreds of families in our community. Your generosity can make this year just as magical!

About the Project:

Since 1993, Friends Of Parkside (FOP) has been bringing holiday cheer to children in the Villages at Parkside, a public housing complex, through our annual Dear Santa Helper Project. Our mission is to ensure every child experiences the joy of receiving a Christmas gift.

Who Are Santa Helpers? 

Santa Helpers are kind-hearted individuals from across Michigan and the United States. They come from various backgrounds, including university faculty, hospital employees, student groups, and even scout packs. No matter where they're from or what they do, all our Santa Helpers share a common goal: to make Christmas special for a child.

How It Works:

• Children aged 5 to 14 from Parkside fill out a "Dear Santa Helper" form online.
• They share their first name, age, grade, their top three Christmas wishes, and why they chose these items.
• Santa Helpers read these letters and choose a child to 'adopt' for Christmas.
• They then purchase at least one of the three requested gifts.
• Gifts can be delivered or shipped to the FOP offices.
• Optionally, Santa Helpers can make a cash donation instead.
• All gifts are distributed to families as they arrive, with a deadline around December 9th. Need more time? Just let us know!
• In January, each Santa Helper receives a thank-you letter, a photo, and optionally a video from the child they helped.

As of now, we have received 22 heartwarming letters from children awaiting their Santa Helper.

Tax-Deductible Donations: Great news! Contributions to the Dear Santa Helper Project are tax-deductible. Friends of Parkside is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, registered with the Michigan Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Section (Registration #61299).

Become a Santa Helper: Ready to spread some holiday joy? Simply click at the top of this page to adopt a Parkside child or make a donation to the Dear Santa Helper project. You can choose a child based on gender, age, or grade. Businesses or organizations wishing to adopt five or more children, please contact FOP staff at 313.822.0311 or email [email protected] for more information. Also, if you prefer to mail your donation, please make your  check or money payable to: The Friends Of Parkside and mail to: The Friends Of Parkside, P. O. Box 13168, Detroit, MI 48213

Introducing FOP's First Campaign Drive!

"Making a Difference That Lasts All Year!"

This year, we’re excited to launch our First General Fundraising Campaign Drive to raise $100,000 or roughly $8,3333 per month for 12 months to provide much-needed general operating support and expand programs that make a year-round impact. Your generosity will help us sustain beloved traditions like the Dear Santa Helper Project  and the Parkside Food Pantry while enhancing vital initiatives in youth and senior programs, digital literacy and inclusion, community organizing and advocacy, health and safety, and volunteer and workforce.  

Why General Operating Support Matters

While initiatives like the Dear Santa Helper Project bring holiday joy to children, general operating support is the backbone of Friends of Parkside (FOP). This type of support allows us to sustain vital programs and respond to the needs of our community year-round.

Your contribution to general operating support helps us:

• Maintain Essential Programs: Keep initiatives like food distribution, health and wellness programs, and youth services running smoothly.
• Cover Operational Costs: Support the administrative functions that make our work possible, from staffing to program development.
• Respond to Emerging Needs: Address unexpected challenges or opportunities to better serve the Villages at Parkside community.

By donating to general operating support, you’re helping us build a stronger, healthier, and more resilient community

Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of Parkside families—not just during the holidays, but throughout the entire year.

Tax-Deductible Donations: Contributions to the Friends Of Parkside are tax-deductible. Friends of Parkside is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, registered with the Michigan Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Section (Registration #61299).

How to Donate to the General Operating Support Campaign Drive:

• Just click on this link "General Operating Support"
• Select your donation amount and help us make a lasting difference for Parkside families!