20 Years of Bringing Holiday Joy to Families in Need

For the 20th year, Juntos SRQ members, joined by members of the University Park Women’s Club, came together on Saturday and Sunday, December 20 and 21, dressed in festive holiday attire and united by a shared desire to bring joy to families in need. Together, they created memorable holiday celebrations for 117 children and their single parents, filling the days with laughter, gifts, warmth, and the unmistakable spirit of the season.

For families facing difficult circumstances, the holidays can be a time of added stress and uncertainty. These celebrations offered something far more meaningful than presents alone. They provided moments of joy, dignity, hope, and connection, while reminding each family that they are not alone and that their community cares deeply about them.

For Juntos SRQ, this tradition reflects the very heart of our mission: people coming together to lift one another up, strengthen families, and make a lasting difference—one child, one parent, and one family at a time.

The celebration was filled with activities designed to make the day special from the moment the children arrived. The festivities began with arts and crafts, as the children created their own Christmas ornaments, followed by Christmas carols and a scavenger hunt throughout the building and yard. Even the Grinch made an appearance, offering his own brand of “help” while keeping the children laughing and entertained.

The children were also treated to a nutritious hot meal, along with Christmas cake and cookies generously provided by the Women’s Resource Center. The highlight of the celebration, of course, was the arrival of Santa Claus. Santa delivered the gifts that Juntos SRQ members had spent the previous weekend carefully shopping for and wrapping for each participating family.

Juntos SRQ provided $125 in gifts for every child and each parent or guardian, along with an additional $125 per person in gift cards to Detwiler’s Farm Market. The gift cards allow families to purchase fresh produce and other groceries at affordable prices, while helping ensure that the assistance is directed toward nourishing food for the household.

More than anything, the day was about creating joy, easing the burden of the holiday season, and reminding every family that they are surrounded by people who care. Through the generosity of Juntos SRQ members, the University Park Women’s Club, and the Women’s Resource Center, the celebration became a meaningful expression of community, compassion, and the true spirit of Christmas.

To be considered for assistance, families are expected to be working and/or actively pursuing career-building educational opportunities, while also participating in supportive counseling programs through the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), including financial counseling. Juntos partners with the WRC to help identify and carefully vet families who are working to build greater stability and a brighter future for themselves and their children.