Our History
Our Collections will be mainly virtual and our Distributions will be a combination of drive through and in-person, yet our focus remains – to make Christmas MORE JOYFUL for our neighbors in need!
Our 54-year History!
“I can’t think about my own Christmas plans, until Christmas Sharing is over,” said Bill Davisson in 1969. As a school social worker, Davisson was concerned about several less fortunate students and families in the Wheaton area and as a result, started Christmas Sharing of Wheaton Warrenville.
Fifty three years later, this simple idea of thoughtfulness and compassion has grown into a completely volunteer program that provides fresh food and produce, gift cards and more for families in need within the Wheaton Warrenville School District 200 and served nearly 750 families in 2021.
The photo (at left) appeared in the Wheaton Daily Journal newspaper on December 12, 1984.
CHRISTMAS SHARING: AN IRS RECOGNIZED 501(C)3 PUBLIC CHARITY
Seven Wheaton and Warrenville area churches and 20 public schools in District 200 participate in the program. Christmas Sharing also partners with local businesses and organizations for additional donations of money, linens, non-food items, boxes, assorted household cleaning products, diapers and gift cards. These community partnerships are a valuable part of our program. The churches add the school and community collections to their own and then host distribution events in early December. At these festive events, families are given fresh food and produce, gift cards, a box of non-food items, diapers, new coats, toys and more.
*This year’s Collections will be mainly virtual and Distributions will be a combination of drive through and in-person. Please donate online!
As you scroll through this website, take some time to think about how you can help this growing program. Maybe it’s some volunteer time, or a donation of money. Both are appreciated and needed. As one of our volunteers stated, “This is truly an annual Christmas miracle.”