Our family loves the opportunity to help others when we are able. So many people have been generous to us in our lives and we love to pay it forward when we can. Many times we like to give silently, but this time we decided to be part of something much bigger than our family can do on our own. My friend Colleen, who is a food blogger, had the idea to reach out to other bloggers, as well as some of our brand contacts, to pull off a fantastic holiday surprise for 21 children who live in a small remote village in Alaska. The only ways in or out of this village are by bush plane or a small boat via the rough Nushagak River. Over 20 bloggers from PA, NJ & DE jumped on board and #TwinHillsSanta began to take off.
A friend of Colleen’s took a teaching position in the village of Twin Hills this year. Dani didn’t know what to expect when she packed up and moved from Pennsylvania, however she has fallen in love with the people, their culture, and Alaska. She has 16 students ages 4-13, and the village has 5 additional kids under 4. There are no places for the 76 residents to work or shop, so they live simply, with very little possessions. As a matter of fact while discussing Christmas and Santa recently one day in school, one of the younger kids said simply, “Santa doesn’t come to Alaska.”
Let that sink in for a second….
….it isn’t necessarily about a kid believing in Santa. It’s about the fact that a kid could believe something so magical could exist elsewhere but not for them. Well this year is going to be different. This year these kids have one heck of a surprise being prepared for them!! We reached out to some of our contacts and I am so excited to share with you that they hopped right on board!
Brands that are Paying it Forward with Operation #TwinHillsSanta
Lee Jeans is sending clothes to the kids, those kids are going to be so excited and well dressed!!
CVS Pharmacy is sending all kinds of personal products, from toothbrushes to scrubbies and body washes, shampoos to chapstick, candy, small toys, and so much more!
Nuby USA jumped in to send the younger children sippy cups, infant and toddler toothbrushes & toothpaste, toys and fun feeding plates & utensils!
Tyrrells English Chips (who has the most fun website) sent cases of their crazy delicious chips – those kids are going to be happily crunching away on a new-to-them snack!
And speaking of snacks, Pretzel Crisps sent cases of their crazy good pretzels – Boy are the kiddos in for a tasty treat! I see new fans just ahead!
Educational Insights was happy to send the kids learning games, reading games, puzzle toys, and more. These kids are going to be happy, busy, and fine tuning their skills as they play!
Kind Snacks shipped some of their healthy AND tasty Kind Bars to the kids. Those will get them pumped up and full of energy!
DecoArt sent a bunch of craft supplies to the kids who I hear are LOVE making things and crafting any chance they get, they are going to be blown away!
How awesome are these 8 companies who said YES to pay-it-forward! When stories like this reach my ears it makes me an even more loyal customer OR it makes me want to try/support a brand I am not familiar with! Thank you all!
Beyond everything these brands did, all of the bloggers involved made sure every kid will get new pajamas, hats, scarves, gloves, and more! Then additional friends, some bloggers and many who are not, heard what was happening and either grabbed USPS flat rate boxes or hopped on Amazon to send stuff the kids way!
I can’t wait to share the joy these kids experience when they see Christmas hit their town. The pilot who flies in and out of Twin Hills with deliveries won’t know what hit him and neither will the post office!
Magic is in the air!! When people come together…great things happen!
Thank you Lee Jeans, CVS Pharmacy, Nuby USA, Tyrrells English Crisps,Pretzel Crisps, Educational Insights, Kind Snacks and DecoArt for making THIS a very special Christmas for 21 children, who I know are going to be so very grateful!
About Heather McCurdy
Heather McCurdy writes at Real: The Kitchen and Beyond where she shows families how to slow down and savor life on any budget with tasty homemade recipes and family travel.
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Tricia says
I’m so happy to be a part of such a wonderful cause. I can’t wait to hear more about the children’s reactions!