Sub for Santa - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sub for Santa?
What is Angel Tree and Giving Tree?
What do I need to provide?
How much money should I spend?
Why shouldn’t I wrap the gifts I donate?
How can I be sure the family I sponsor really needs my help?
What if the family I sponsor doesn’t speak English?
I received the name of the family I’m going to sponsor. What should I do next?
I don’t want to deliver my gifts. Can you deliver them for me?
Where can I send a check or gift certificate donation to?
Can I donate used toys and clothes to Sub for Santa?
How else can I volunteer for Sub for Santa?

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. 20 through Dec. 15.

Giving Tree: Fox 13 News and the University Mall in Orem sponsor the Giving Tree. Names can be selected Nov. 24 through Dec. 20 at the information booth in the center of the mall. Click here for more information.

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. You are asked to provide two new items of clothing, two new toys, and a book for each child. If you would like to provide more, we suggest you call us for another family to help so they can receive a Christmas also.

Why shouldn’t I wrap the gifts I donate?

Put yourself in the recipient’s shoes. If you were to receive gifts for your children from a stranger, wouldn’t you be curious to see what they were given? In addition, by letting the parents wrap the gifts you donate, you share the experience and allow the parents to play a greater role in providing for their children’s Christmas. Perhaps you could include wrapping paper and bows for the parents to use (this is optional, of course). It may be a good idea to put the gifts in a black garbage bag or box so the children won’t see them.

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.

In order to apply for assistance, one or both parents attend a application workshop wherein volunteer instructors teach budgeting skills and no-cost holiday traditions. The primary purpose of our workshops is to encourage self-sufficiency.

A committee evaluates each application according to financial situation, and other circumstances, as well as the number of years a family has received Sub for Santa assistance.

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.

I received the name of the family I’m going to help. 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, also. Gifts must be delivered by Dececember 23; no Christmas Eve deliveries please.

Verify information concerning children’s sizes and 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.

Please do not give the family your phone number. To ensure anonymity, dial *67 before the number and your call should be blocked from Caller I.D., in case the family is using this service. Families have been asked to turn off a Caller I.D. blocker, if using that option.

I don’t want to deliver my gifts. Can you deliver them for me?

We cannot deliver the gifts for you. Please arrange for someone else to deliver them, perhaps another family member or friend. You also have the option to go to the Angel Tree at Macey's Department store and Cypress Credit Union or donate gifts or money to Sub for Santa, which will go to families who apply late in the program and may not get a sponsor.

Where can I send a check or gift certificate donation to?

Mail to: Sub for Santa, P.O. Box 135, Provo, UT 84603. Deliver to: United Way of Utah County, 148 N 100 W, Provo, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Can I donate used toys and clothes to Sub for Santa?

Unfortunately, Sub for Santa cannot accept used items. Please donate these items to Deseret Industries.

How else can I volunteer for Sub for Santa?

Application Workshops: Volunteers over 18 years of age can help at application workshops on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings throughout November and early December. Call the United Way Volunteer Center at 374-8108 for more information.

Deliver Angel Tree Gifts: Volunteers are needed to deliver Angel Tree gifts throughout December. Call the United Way Volunteer Center at 374-8108 for more information.