A celebration of giving, family, and the spirit of togetherness.
The Cookies with Santa & Community Christmas Festival is the Core of Volunteers’ annual year-end event — a joyful, free community gathering that celebrates the season through generosity, family fun, and creative holiday magic.
This event closes the year the same way the Core began: by giving everything we can, asking for nothing in return, and proving that love and service are the most valuable gifts of all.
Every child leaves with a smile, a gift, and a photo with Santa.
Every family leaves knowing that their community cares.
When generosity becomes tradition, hope becomes permanent.
This festival is designed as a living expression of the Core’s values — compassion, connection, and joy through shared action.
The Core’s mission doesn’t pause for the holidays; it shines brightest during them.
By creating a warm, inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued, this event becomes more than a celebration — it becomes a reminder that the Core is family to anyone who needs one.
Deliver Holiday Joy
Ensure every attending child receives a present and every adopted family receives full-family gifts, food, and holiday essentials.
Foster Creative Community Engagement
Offer free photos with Santa, craft stations, cookie decorating, and family activities that inspire imagination and connection.
Support Adopted Families
Recognize the families served through the Core’s year-round programs and provide them with an extra measure of care and gratitude.
Strengthen Partnerships
Bring together schools, churches, local businesses, and sponsors to create a single, coordinated act of holiday generosity.