Santa Claus, Inc. & Yes! Year Round Services

The Spirit of Giving and Receiving

Santa Claus Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established in 1952 by Mignon Schweitzer, former head of the Family Child Division of San Bernardino, and Chair of the Community Chest. Mignon saw firsthand the poverty that exists across San Bernardino communities containing many of the poorest neighborhoods in the entire nation. Today the child poverty rate across the Inland Empire affects 58.7% of ALL households with children, and why the mission of Santa Claus Inc. is more needed today than ever.

Mignon wanted to make sure that ALL children could experience "The Magic of Christmas" regardless of wealth or poverty. And with humble beginnings, Santa Claus Inc. set out to do just that; distributing gifts to 1,000 local children in Christmas of 1952. 70 years later, Santa Claus Inc. is a year-round warehousing operation, capable of serving 200,000 children each year across the Inland Empire. Santa's programs serve children from low income households who are struggling with poverty, homelessness, foster care, and/or other unfortunate circumstances.

Santa Claus Inc. revolutionized its service model in 2012, transforming from a seasonal Christmas operation, to year round services provided through the YES! Program. "Youth Enrichment Services" now provides critical basic needs items to impoverished children in their home communities across the IE, through a vast network of distribution partners.  

New products arrive at Santa's 6,000 square foot warehouse in San Bernardino, California. Santa purchases products from non profit retail partners, who provide a minimum 50:1 return on product quantity. Many of our largest retail partners include: Amazon,  Best Choice Products, Delivering Good, Good 360, Target, and more. Through valuable corporate partnerships Santa is able to maintain valuable year round inventory of many of the most popular and recognizable children's brands in the world.

A dedicated force of volunteers manage year round inventory, keeping overhead low, and disseminating up to $5 million dollars worth of childhood products into the community each year. Products distributed through SCI’s nonprofit networks , providing low income families with access to much needed childhood clothing, shoes, coats, toys, books, school supplies, hygiene items, birthday surprises, holiday cheer, and more.

Today, the Yes! Program distributes NEW childhood essentials to approximately 200,000 vulnerable children (ages 0-17) each year through a growing network of 100+ partners across the Inland Empire. Agency partners include non-profits, school districts, churches, police and fire, homeless shelters, hospitals, community organizations, and county departments/agencies. The year round YES! Program ensures that children in poverty have access to NEW basic needs items that significantly improve their quality of life at school, at home, and at play among peers.

Santa Claus Inc programs are powerful, positive interventions in the lives of children. Children in poverty, homelessness, and foster care often have increased barriers to success due to difficult living circumstances and lack of basic childhood resources. By simply filling a child’s most basic needs profile, SCI is able to reduce, and often reverse, some of the most common problems experienced by children suffering in poverty.

Today nearly 60% of families are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living across the Inland Empire. As a result, children are going without basic essentials like clothing, shoes, warm coats, and Christmas gifts. From now through the end of the year, Santa Claus Inc. will be raising $50,000 to ensure we can meet the growing needs of 235,000 children in poverty in 2022! Can Santa count on your help?

Santa anticipates that in 2022, childhood need across the IE will far outweigh the availability of SCI program resources. That's why we are asking ALL Friends, Volunteers, Family Members, Program Partners, and local Businesses to help Santa raise $50,000 by the end of the year. These funds will help expand operations and inventory, reaching an additional 35,000 children in poverty next year. Join Santa Claus Inc. as we seek to improve conditions for ALL disadvantaged children growing up across our Inland Empire. The GIFT we give today will be remembered by  children who become the leaders of tomorrow! 

We invite you to give a special gift today to help us ensure that children living in dire circumstances throughout local communities have access to our services. Your compassion and generosity mean so much to the thousands of children that are helped throughout the year as critical needs arise. Thank you for your help! 

For information on how to volunteer or about our programs including Birthday in a Bag, ASAP Homeless Assistance,  Belongings Foster Assistance, Adopt a School, Emergency Assistance program, or Christmas Distribution programs please call 909-885-0090 sign up below.