The Reason For The Season
A Message From Our Founder
For 30 years, Christmas in the Wards has served as a beacon of hope, compassion, and community across Chicagoland. What began in 1996 as a small holiday gathering for approximately 50 families in Englewood has grown into one of Chicagoland’s most impactful community outreach initiatives, now serving thousands of families annually across the city and suburbs. Today, Christmas in the Wards proudly stands as the second-largest local toy giveaway in the nation.
As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary Year, we reflect with gratitude on the 100,000+ lives touched, the partnerships built, and the communities strengthened through the power of giving. Our mission has always been rooted in a simple belief: every family deserves to experience joy, dignity, and hope during the holiday season and throughout the year.
While the challenges facing underserved communities continue to grow, so does our commitment to meeting the need. Through food distributions, educational support, clothing, toys, technology resources, and community-centered events, Christmas in the Wards continues to uplift families and strengthen neighborhoods across Chicagoland.
This milestone year is not only a celebration of our past, but a renewed commitment to the future. None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our volunteers, corporate sponsors, donors, and community partners who continue to stand beside us. Our motto has always been, “It takes a city to do what we do,” and for 30 years, Chicago has answered the call. THANK YOU!
Larry Huggins
Founder, Christmas in the Wards
Giving in Action
WGN9 - Christmas in the Wards: Chicago’s heartwarming holiday tradition (click to view video)
NBC5 - Chicago children in need get holiday gifts at 29th Annual Christmas in the Wards (click to view video)
CBS2 - 29th annual Christmas in the Wards held at McCormick Place (click to view video)
Christmas in the Wards Englewood Food Giveaway
What We Do
Each year we work with our civic leaders, schools, business, and community partners throughout Chicago to bring the spirit of the season to hard-working families, deserving students, and our youth. We dedicate 100% of our resources for the sole purpose to serve.
We accomplish this by selecting with our aldermen over 100 deserving families each year from the wards of Chicago who would otherwise go without not only toys-but essentials like food and clothing. We partner with civic leaders and public officials like Congressman Rush each year to give over 50 laptops to college-bound freshman who achieve academic excellence in their secondary education and students who excel in extracurricular endeavors. In 2016 the entire Wendell Phillips Academy football team, Chicago’s first public school team winning the state football title, received laptops from Christmas in the Wards.
Civic Testimonials
"When we join hands, remembering the gifts that we have been granted throughout our lives, we can similarly be of service and ensure that the spirit of the holidays remains alive for all, no matter their circumstances. From a small Englewood gymnasium to a city-wide celebration of community, Christmas in the Wards is an annual testament of the power of generosity. Happy Holidays and may your new year bring you love and happiness."
— JB Pritzker
Governor, State of Illinois
“I am grateful to celebrate another holiday season with Christmas in the Wards. Now in its 23rd year, this is a tradition I look forward to each year because of the joy it brings to communities while also providing vital opportunities for scholarships, education tools, and technology to transform lives.”
— Toni Preckwinkle
President, Cook County Board of Commissioners