Santa's Workshop

Bring Joy and Dignity to Families This Holiday Season through Santa’s Workshop!

Every year, the joy of the holiday season comes alive at Santa’s Workshop, where eligible families in Northern Hamilton County pick out holiday gifts for their children. In addition to toys and gifts, Northside Neighborhood House also ensures families have the food they need to enjoy the holidays. With support from donors like you, we served over 350 children through Santa's Workshop last year. We anticipate the need to be even greater this year, and we need your help making the season special for our neighbors.

You're invited to join this NNH tradition and help spread holiday cheer to those who need it most!

Ways You Can Help:

• Donate New, Unwrapped Toys: Drop off toys at our office at 211 Minor Street by December 16, and help fill Santa’s Workshop with gifts that will brighten a child’s holiday.
• Make a Financial Gift: A donation to Santa’s Workshop helps us purchase toys and gift cards, ensuring every family receives gifts and food baskets.
• Host a Toy or Gift Card Drive: Rally your workplace, place of worship, or community group to collect toys and gift cards that will make a difference for local families.
• Shop Our Amazon Wishlist: With just a few clicks, you can purchase toys and have them shipped directly to NNH, bringing smiles to children across the community.
• Support Local Shopping: Visit Learning Express Toys & Gifts, in person or online, to shop for items from our wishlist and contribute to the holiday magic.
• Shop the Giving Trees: Support teens by purchasing a gift card from one of our Giving Trees when you shop at an NNH Thrift Store this holiday season.

If you or someone you know needs an appointment for assistance, please call the main agency at 423-267-2217.

Santa's Workshop FAQs

Who receives help at Santa's Workshop? Santa's Workshop serves neighbors living north of the Tennessee River in specific zip codes. Eligible families living in the 37405, 37415, 37343, 37351, 37379, 37373, and 37304 areas can sign up for our holiday distribution, which provides gifts for children ages 0-18. Each family signs up through a Case Manager, who helps ensure they meet eligibility requirements. Many holiday programs only provide gifts for children up to age 16, but at Santa's Workshop, we believe every child in a household deserves something special for the holidays. Santa’s Workshop is here to spread joy to all kids in eligible families!

Can I receive a wishlist for a child or family? No one knows a child like their family. That's why we let parents shop for their children instead of asking others to sponsor them. Our case managers also spend special time getting to know the family and their needs to make sure they have support beyond the holidays. So when they walk through the doors of Santa's Workshop, they feel dignified and cared for.

What items are most needed? In our experience, we receive the most help with purchasing toys for young children, leaving older children and teens with fewer gift options. The most requested item from families with teens is gift cards. Popular gift cards come from Amazon, Bass Pro Shop, Ulta, online gaming sites, and fast food restaurants.

Can I donate used items? No, we do not accept used items. Even if the item is only gently used, we think all children deserve new toys, clothes, and essentials. Another way to support NNH's programs is by donating used items to our thrift stores. In addition to providing funding for NNH, our thrift stores collaborate with partner agencies to offer vouchers to clients who need to receive clothing and household items at no cost.

Can I volunteer at Santa's Workshop? Yes! We would love to invite you to volunteer at Santa's Workshop this year.

For more information about Santa's Workshop, contact Meghan Creecy at mcreecy@nnhouse.org or call 423-267-2217.