MADISON, Wis. — A ho, ho, heartfelt effort ensures kids facing homelessness in the Madison Metropolitan School District get Christmas cheer.
Santas Without Chimneys has helped ensure Christmas wishes for more hundreds of district kids — and their little non-school age siblings — come true. They’ve been at it for more than a decade.
Chaous Riddle, the lead Santa and co-founder, said it’s an annual labor of love that really makes a difference.
“All these kids need is just a few gifts and a blanket, and somebody to say they care,” Riddle said about why she and her team of elves volunteer.
Meanwhile, the district said it is coping with more students experiencing homeless than in prior years.
“We are up this year than we have in the past, and it’s just the economy and the housing market and other things that make it really really hard,” MMSD Transitional Education Program Lead, Jani Koester, said.
Koester said the district had about 720 students experiencing homelessness at last check. Riddle said her organization was helping about 500 of them this holiday season.
“Santas [Without Chimneys] can give them something a little bit more... That they can give them a holiday… it’s just deep in my heart,” Koester said.
Those interested in helping the cause can still donate through Christmas. Learn how to help them support even more families, here.
