Sub for Santa - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sub for Santa?
What is Angel Tree and Giving Tree?
I received the name of the family I’m going to sponsor. What should I do next?
How can I remain anonymous?
What do I need to provide?
How much money should I spend?
How can I be sure the family I sponsor really needs my help?
What if the family I sponsor doesn’t speak English?
When should the gifts be delivered?
Should I buy gifts for the parents?
Should I wrap the gifts I donate?
Can I meet the children I’m sponsoring?

What is Sub for Santa?

Sub for Santa is a temporary Christmas assistance program, which matches sponsors with families looking for help. Applicants will be provided with learning opportunities to help them better manage their money, time, and talents. As a result, children are given what every child deserves: a delightful Christmas Season.

What is Angel Tree and Giving Tree?

Another manner in which children can receive Christmas gifts from volunteer sponsors is through the Angel Tree and the Giving Tree.

Angel Tree: The Salvation Army, KUTV Channel 2 News and Utah County Sub for Santa partner together for this program. Volunteers select the name, age and gift ideas from the Angel Tree at Macy's at University Mall in Orem and at Pleasant Grove High School. Names can be selected from Nov. 23 through Dec. 14.

Giving Tree: Fox 13 News and the University Mall in Orem sponsor the Giving Tree. Names can be selected Nov. 23 through Dec. 14 at the information booth in the center of the mall. Click here for more information.

I received the name of the family I’m going to sponsor. What should I do next?

Call your Sub for Santa family the week you receive their information, so they know they are receiving assistance. Use this call to arrange a time to deliver the gifts.

Verify information concerning children’s sizes and, if needed, ask for more gift ideas or specific interests of the children if needed (i.e. favorite color, music group, action figure, clothing style).

You are not required to provide expensive or extra gifts, even if they are requested. Sub for Santa is concerned about helping the children first. We do not ask you to help the parents, but you may do so if you wish.

How can I remain anonymous?

Phone: To ensure anonymity, dial *67 before calling the number and your call should be blocked from a Caller I.D.

E-mail: You are welcome to contact applicants via e-mail, if provided.  However, please use discretion to remain anonymous. Also, phone calls may be the fastest way as the applicant may not use e-mail frequently.

What do I need to provide?

Sponsors are asked to provide two new items of clothing, two new toys and a book for each child. Please read the list of suggested toys and books on the reverse side of this page.

How much money should I spend?

The purpose of Sub for Santa is to meet the basic needs of the children in each family. Providing an elaborate Christmas makes it difficult for parents to recreate a similar holiday the following year. Each sponsor spends money in different ways. Sponsors tend to spend approximately $60-$100 per child on the required gifts mentioned in number 3.  If you would like to provide more, we suggest you call us for another family to help so they can receive a Christmas also.

How can I be sure the family I sponsor really needs my help?

Sub for Santa is dedicated to helping people who cannot help themselves. An application process verifies that we help those who need it most. To apply for assistance, a parent attends an application workshop where instructors teach about budgeting resources and no-cost holiday traditions. We are also pleased to partner with the Provo City Library in promoting reading with children and other resources in the community. The primary purpose of our workshops is to encourage self-sufficiency.

• A committee evaluates each application according to financial situation, other circumstances, and the number of years a family has or has not received Sub for Santa assistance.
• As the sponsor, you will have the most contact with the family and get to see their home. If you are concerned about anything, please contact us ASAP.

What if the family I sponsor doesn’t speak English?

Many of the families who apply don’t speak English, but are still in great need of your help. There are not enough Spanish-speaking sponsors to help all the families who apply, so you may receive a family who does not speak English.

Be resourceful! Do you have a family member, neighbor, or co-worker who speaks Spanish and can help translate for you? In one phone call all of the necessary information can be answered and arrangements can be made. If you are experiencing difficulty, though, please contact our office and we will be happy to assist.

When should the gifts be delivered?

To respect the holiday traditions of the family you are sponsoring may have, we ask that you deliver gifts no later than Dec. 22. Christmas Eve deliveries are strongly discouraged.

Should I buy gifts for the parents? 

Sub for Santa is concerned about helping the children first. We do not ask you to help the parents, but you may do so if you wish. (They don’t expect you to.)

Should I wrap the gifts I donate?

Preferably no. By letting the parents wrap the gifts, you share the experience and allow the parents to play a greater role in providing their children’s Christmas. Perhaps you could include wrapping paper and bows for the parents to use (this is optional, of course). It is always a good idea to put the gifts in a black garbage bag or box so the children won’t see them.

Can I meet the children I’m sponsoring?

It depends on the parents, but most likely, no. This can create confusing questions from children about Santa Claus and put the parents in an awkward position.  Please refrain from taking photos of the family as well. This may make them uncomfortable.