SUB FOR SANTA
Give Help
For over 35 years, United Way of Utah County’s Sub for Santa has coordinated with local schools and nonprofits to provide gifts for children in Utah County. These gifts include books, educational toys, and winter clothes. Last year over 4,700 children from 1,665 families were served by generous community sponsors. United Way’s Sub for Santa and Angel Tree also serves foster teens and senior citizens who may not have family to spend the holidays with.
HOW TO HELP
There are many ways to help Utah County families.
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Sponsoring a family provides the opportunity to select a whole family in need, contact the family, shop for each family member, and deliver the gifts directly to the family. We require 2-3 new articles of clothing, 1-2 new toys, and 3-5 new books for each child in the family.
If you would like more information about sponsoring, read our FAQs for sponsoring a family.
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Making a financial donation helps fill in the gaps for the Sub for Santa Program. You can also donate to help families year round.
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Christmas gifts beyond toys: Sub for Santa plus is a new way to help families in need. The purpose of Sub for Santa plus is to provide additional resources after the holiday season ends to families receiving Sub for Santa assistance. You can donate to provide therapy, medical care, housing help, and much more.
DONATE GOODS
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Donated goods are used to help fulfill children’s Christmas wishes. We only accept NEW books, toys, clothes for children and teens. We are especially in need of donations of new books and teen gift items.
Bring donations to our main office at 148 N 100 W, Provo, UT 84601.
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Volunteers can help by assisting families as they apply for the program, sorting Angel tree gifts, delivering gifts, and picking up gifts from the Angel Tree store locations.
SPONSOR AND INDIVIDUAL
(VISIT OUR ANGEL TREES)
(VISIT OUR ANGEL TREES)
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If you would like to sponsor an individual, consider sponsoring an Angel Tree child. This involves picking up a name from one of our Angel Tree locations, shopping for the child, and bringing the presents back to the pick up location. Angel Tree Locations are:
- Smith’s Marketplaces: Lehi, Saratoga Springs, Springville (Close December 13th)
- University Place Giving Tree (Closes December 16th)
SPONSOR A GOLDEN ANGEL
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A Golden Angel is an elderly adult or an adult with a disability who does not have any support. Sponsors can pick one of our Angel Tree locations (Smith’s Market Places) or the Giving Tree (Located at University Mall), or sign up online to sponsor a Golden Angel (Please specify in the sponsor notes if you would prefer a Golden Angel).
Apply for Help
United Way of Utah County’s Sub for Santa is a temporary Christmas assistance program. We match sponsors from the community with families looking for help. We know Christmas can be a really difficult time for families, and we hope the generosity of your neighbors can help your children experience joy. Please review our guidelines below to see if you qualify and the steps to apply.
Sub for Santa is ONLY for residents of Utah County.
If you are in need of other assistance such as food, utilities assistance, etc. you can contact 2-1-1 for resources.
Determine if you qualify for our program! There are four things we look at:
- Age of kids: The program provides gifts for children between 18 months and 16 years of age. In order to be considered for Sub for Santa, a family must have at least one child between these ages. Children younger and older can qualify if they have another sibling that falls in the 18 month to 16 year age range. If you are caring for children that are not your own, you will be required to show documentation of legal guardianship.
- Income: We’ll use your income, expenses and other financial circumstances to determine if you qualify.
- Location: We only serve people who live in Utah County.
- Number of years you’ve applied to our program: Sub for Santa is a temporary Christmas assistance program. You may not qualify if you have been helped previously for several years.
We understand that circumstances aren’t always straightforward, so if you feel like you really need the help, please apply and we’ll take a look.
Attend an open house. At the end of your online application, you will be prompted to schedule an appointment for a Sub for Santa open house. At the open house, you will be required to verify documents in order to complete your application process.
Please bring the following documents to the open house you attend:
- Photo ID of yourself
- Children’s ID for whom you are applying. The document you bring must show the child’s name and date of birth. Examples: original or copies of birth certificates, Medicaid cards, vaccination records, baptismal papers, passport. If you are caring for children that are not your own, you will be required to show documentation of legal guardianship.
- Income Verification. You must bring verifiable proof of how you meet your current financial obligations. This will include, your last two current pay stubs or a bank statement showing your income amount (providing information digitally via cell phone is OK). If you are receiving other assistance such as Medicaid, housing, or help from your church, etc., please bring proof of that also.
- Proof of Address. This must be a current document with your name and address on it. For example, a recent bill or your lease agreement.
Frequently Asked questions
Sub for Santa is a temporary Christmas assistance program that matches sponsors with families looking for help. The program provides gifts for children between 18 months and 16 years of age. In order to be considered for Sub for Santa, a family must have at least one child between these ages. Children younger and older can qualify if they have another sibling that falls in the 18 month to 16 year age range.
Numerous factors are taken into consideration including income vs. expenses, unusual circumstances and how many years you have received assistance from Sub for Santa.
You will receive a notification via email/text within two weeks after attending an open house. This notification will explain the details of the program and what to expect next. Those who don’t qualify for assistance this year will receive a notification that explains that they will not be receiving assistance.
I attended an open house two weeks ago and have not heard back from Sub for Santa. What should I do?
Please call or text 801-356-6200 if you have not received a notification within two weeks of attending an open house. Leave your first and last name, full address, phone number and the date of the open house you attended. A Sub for Santa staff member will contact you.
On the application, enter the name and number of a friend, neighbor or family member who has a phone and is willing to be contacted. Please make sure this person knows he/she may get a Sub for Santa call for you.
A thank you is a kind gesture for a sponsor who has spent his or her time and money for your family. In the past, applicants have expressed thanks by giving a thank you card, having their children write a note or draw a picture to “Santa”, or have given a special treat to their sponsor when they deliver the gifts. This extra gesture from you is very appreciated by sponsors and keeps them coming back to help our program year after year.
The online application is an essential step in applying for Sub for Santa. If you don’t have a computer or don’t feel comfortable filling out an application online, start by asking a family member or friend for help in filling out the application. If you still need assistance, please call or text 801-356-6200 to explain your situation.
Your login account is associated with the email address you used last year. If you forgot which email address you used, call or text 801-356-6200 and Sub for Santa staff can help you. If you cannot remember your password, there is a “Request Password” link on the bottom of the applicant login page.
Please call or text 801-356-6200 and leave your full name, old address and phone along with the new information. We will update your information on our records and will give your sponsor your new information.
If you are caring for children that are not your own, you will be required to show documentation of legal guardianship.
We have a dedicated line depending on your inquiry.
Applicants please call 801-356-6200.
Sponsors please call 801-356-6300.
Thank you to our amazing sponsors!
