Our Events
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 a 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; by partnering with Congressman Rush each year to give over 50 laptops to college-bound freshmen who have achieved academic excellence in their secondary education; by celebrating and rewarding outstanding achievement-as we did in 2016 with laptops to the entire Wendell Phillips Academy football team, Chicago’s first public school team to win the state football title.
2020 will be a Shopping Spectacular as the wards shop with their families. Our Christmas in the Wards Elves will compile each families Christmas Needs List and our families will shop by ward at a designated date and time.
We will take every precaution to ensure social distancing and abide by all city and state mandates as we create Christmas memories and whimsy for our families, sponsors and guests.
We’re thrilled to debut our first Laptop for Students Drive-Up Giveaway. Our Christmas in the Wards Elves will line the lanes and present EVERY Christmas in the Wards family with a laptop as they drive through with cups of cocoa and a special Christmas greeting from Santa!
Remote learning is a reality every student, family and community will navigate this academic year. With a full school day of instruction families will need adequate education technology for all children to meet the academic requirements and achieve. No child should be left behind and through our Laptops for Students initiative we will give hundreds of laptops away this holiday season.