Santa Program
MHSAADC
Milton Hershey School Alumni Association - DC, Maryland & Virginia 

MHSAADC Santa Program

One in four children in the US is food deficient. 46 million people in the US are on food stamps. One of the requirements for admission to MHS is that a child/family be of limited financial means. Some student sponsors’ financial circumstances limit their capacity to have adequate food in the refrigerator for their child during their vacation/holiday breaks or to provide holiday gifts.

The MHSAA DC Chapter has designated the Santa Program as their main fundraising initiative. Through out the year, we host raffles, sell t-shirts and host gatherings to raise funds to provide a holiday meal and gifts to MHS students in the DMV chapter.

The more funds that are raised, the more students we can sponsor. In 2019 the chapter sponsored 5 students. In 2020 we are sponsoring 12 students. ALMOST double!  

How does the Santa Program help?

The DMV Chapter works with MHS to identify students in the DMV area with the greatest need for assistance. A chapter representative contacts the sponsor for the student’s wish list and anticipated food needs. The chapter representative sets up a time during winter break to deliver the gifts and a food basket or gift card to a preferred grocer.

For many of the families that participate in this program, the only gifts the student receives are from the DMV chapter. It’s not a matter of not wanting to put something under the tree, but sometimes transportation to and from Hershey is all that can be afforded.  

For the students and sponsors, this program offers an opportunity to see the alumni community that their child will someday be a part of. It also offers a “local” friendly face or voice when times are tough.

Being a DMV Santa is bitter sweet. You visit the student’s home and are reminded of why they need MHS. You also see their eyes light up when you give them beautifully wrapped packages with their name on them. You see the gratitude in the eye of the sponsor.

We have been blessed by the philanthropy of Milton and Catherine Hershey and take pride in continuing the tradition of looking out for our young brothers and sisters.

"I have had the pleasure of being a chapter Santa for 2 years. I enter the home as a stranger and leave as a part of the family. Most importantly, the student and sponsor know that they belong to the DC chapter family, the MHS family and will some day be a part of the alumni family." -Angela Shade, c/o '95 

What are the Objectives?

-Provide local MHSAADC Chapter members with an opportunity to support/engage with MHS students from our area


-Put a smile on the face of an MHS student from within the MHSAADC area. 

 

-Increase awareness of students and their familes 


-Assist a low income parent/family in being able to provide for their MHS student's vacation/break period costs.

How can you help?

The MHSAADC Santa Program is entirely funded by donations. Due to funding restraints, we are limited to the number of families we can help by the amount of donations raised every year. Our hope is that one day we would be able to fund multiple families and really make a difference! Please donate today and help us make a difference in the lives of MHS students and families in need!
Please help MHSAADC make a difference and Donate whatever you can afford using the Paypal DONATE button below.  
Share by: