Arizona Diamondbacks Celebrate 25th Anniversary of Operation Santa Claus

News Summary

The Arizona Diamondbacks marked the 25th anniversary of Operation Santa Claus with an event announcing an $80,000 donation to assist local families in need. This charity drive aims to bring joy to those experiencing hardship during the holiday season by collecting food, toys, and monetary donations. ABC15 Arizona plans to support five local charities through its fundraising efforts this fall, encouraging community participation and generosity during the campaign.

Phoenix – The Arizona Diamondbacks celebrated a significant milestone on Sunday by hosting an event marking the 25th anniversary of Operation Santa Claus. As part of the festivities, the team announced a generous donation of $80,000 to the holiday campaign, which aims to assist local families in need during the festive season.

Operation Santa Claus is a well-established charity drive designed to bring joy and support to families experiencing hardship around the holidays. The initiative collects vital donations, including food, toys, clothing, and monetary contributions. Last year, the program achieved remarkable success by raising $1,000,860.40, directly benefiting countless families throughout Arizona.

This year, ABC15 Arizona is gearing up to launch its fundraising efforts in the fall, supporting five local charities through the Operation Santa Claus campaign. The participating charities include:

  • St. Mary’s Food Bank
  • Military Assistance Mission
  • Chicanos Por La Causa
  • Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center
  • Special Olympics Arizona

The fundraising initiative is sponsored by Sanderson Ford, which will serve as a key partner in rallying the community’s support. The campaign will operate from November 14 to December 18, allowing generous contributions from the community over several weeks.

For those wanting to help, there are multiple donation drop-off locations scattered throughout the area. These include:

  • Sanderson Ford
  • Sanderson Lincoln
  • Participating U-Haul locations
  • ABC15 Studios

Community members are also encouraged to make secure online donations at givetotheclaus.com. To further inspire participation, ABC15 will host a Claus-a-Thon Day on December 4, creating a platform to raise awareness and promote the need for donations.

Donors who contribute $5 or more will be eligible for weekly drawings, with prizes including a chance to win either a new Ford F-150 truck or a Lincoln Corsair. Additionally, 15 finalists for the prize will each receive a $100 Visa gift card as a token of appreciation for their support.

A live vehicle giveaway is scheduled for December 20 during the Sonoran Living program on ABC15, creating excitement and incentivizing donations. For those specifically looking to support the cause, U-Haul stores across Maricopa County are available as drop-off locations for items such as new unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items through December 20. U-Haul has consistently participated in Operation Santa Claus for several years, making both monetary donations and offering their locations for donation collections.

The operating hours for U-Haul donation drop-off locations are Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, donors can opt for a monetary donation via the official Operation Santa Claus website, and each $5 donation will enter them into a drawing for a chance to win an all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning or Lincoln Corsair.

As the holiday season approaches, Operation Santa Claus continues to seek the community’s support to ensure that local families have a memorable and joyful holiday experience, reaffirming its place as a vital initiative in Arizona.

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