Programs
Santa Visit Program: Beginning 14 years ago Santa’s Children has visited over 17,000 medically fragile children, their families, child life specialists, fire department members and others in the Santa Visit Program. Visits are made to the child’s home, in hospitals, such as Children’s Hospital and Medical Center and The University of Nebraska Medical Center, or at other locations any tim
e of the year, because not all children with life threatening illnesses will be here for their next Christmas. (Kids in Distressed Situation) program Santa’s Children now receives and distributes new clothing, books, toys, shoes and other products to medically fragile children and children in need throughout Iowa and Nebraska. For every $100 donation received from a community, $500 in new clothing and books are given back to a food pantry, fire department or social service organization in the community where the donation comes from. Camp and Garden Program: During many Santa Visits at the MDA summer camps it was noted how much fun the KIDS were having. At this time Santa’s Children is starting the process to build Santa’s Camp and Wonderland where medically fragile and disabled children and adults can spend a day just having fun. During the first year over 10,000 pounds of vegetables were raised on two acres of ground which were given to individuals and families in need through area food pantries. In 2011, expansion to five acres is being planned with local volunteers providing the labor to plant, care for and harvest additional produce for those in need.