Secret Santa Program

Welcome to the Secret Santa program! You can be a Secret Santa — it's fun, simple and rewarding!

Click here to register and donate online to our Secret Santa Program.

Registration should be submitted no later than October 31st.

The Secret Santa program provides Christmas gifts for hundreds of children and dozens of needy families, of all ages and backgrounds, in the Diocese of Belleville.

Foster children will experience the joyous surprise of receiving meaningful gifts for Christmas, something new for so many of the children we serve. They have come from troubled homes - where disappointment is far more common in their lives. Many of the families we support under this program have serious financial problems. They may not have enough money to pay for their utility bills, or purchase food and other necessities for their home, let alone Christmas gifts for their children.

In 2009 over 800 children (530 in Belleville, 150 in Carbondale, and 130 in Mt. Vernon) learned the true meaning of Christmas through the generosity of people just like you! In addition, we provided a meaningful Christmas for over 140 families.

You can help create an unforgettable memory for children and families as they awake to find presents mysteriously placed under the tree!

You can help create an unforgettable memory for a child as they awake to find presents mysteriously placed under the tree!

In late October or early November, you receive sponsorship information and a "Letter to Santa," which includes a short wish list from your sponsored child.

You purchase 1–3 (or more if able to) new items for the child. You will be asked to deliver your gift by a predetermined date in December.

Contact your local Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois office to receive your Secret Santa packet: Belleville, Carbondale, and Mt. Vernon gifts stay in each respective area — to serve your local community.

You can help collect and distribute clothing, toys and books to adopted children, children in foster care, and families in need throughout Southern Illinois during the December gift drop-off dates.

If you do not wish to sponsor a child or family, but would like to make a contribution to help our Secret Santa program and other children's programs at Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois, please send your donation to one of the following addresses.

Or, to send your donation via postal mail, please print and complete this form and mail it to one of the following addresses.

Click here to register and donate online to our Secret Santa Program.