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Starts at
$250
Christmas in the Wards 30th Anniversary Fundraiser Gala
Sat, Aug 29, 2026, 6:00 p.m. CT
McCormick Place Lakeside Center, Chicago, Illinois
Organizer Profile
Christmas in the Wards
For 30 years, Christmas in the Wards has been a beacon of hope, compassion, and community across Chicagoland. Founded in 1996 with a single holiday gathering serving approximately 50 families in Englewood, the organization has grown into one of the region’s most impactful nonprofit initiatives touching the lives of more than 100,000 children and families and becoming the second-largest local toy giveaway in the nation.
Our mission is rooted in a simple belief: every family deserves to experience joy, dignity, and hope not only during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year. Through the generous support of volunteers, corporate partners, donors, and community leaders, Christmas in the Wards provides toys, food, clothing, educational resources, technology, and year-round community programs that strengthen families and neighborhoods across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
What makes Christmas in the Wards unique is our collaborative approach. We work alongside civic leaders, schools, businesses, and community organizations to identify families in need and deliver meaningful support where it matters most. Our motto, “It takes a city to do what we do,” reflects the power of partnership and the collective commitment that has fueled our mission for three decades.
When you attend the 30th Anniversary Fundraising Gala, you’re doing more than celebrating a milestone, you are investing in the future of Chicago’s children and families. Every ticket purchased and every dollar raised helps ensure that Christmas in the Wards can continue uplifting communities, creating opportunities, and bringing hope to those who need it most.
Together, we celebrate 30 years of impact—and together, we’ll build the next 30 years of hope.