What IS Operation Santa?

Operation Santa is Tennyson Center’s way of giving the spirit of the holidays to the hundreds of children and families which we serve each year. Many of the youngsters at Tennyson Center for Children (TCC) have never experienced a real holiday season. Through the warm hearts and generous nature of donors and supporters throughout the Rockies and the Plains, and through a series of fun holiday events, Operation Santa brings the magic of the season to our campus and to the community so that the holidays will always be remembered by each child we serve as a joyful time.

The core element of Operation Santa: The Wish Lists

The Op Santa team distributes a variety of “wish lists” to supporters of the program.  These list range from toylists for the children to fulfillment of classroom wish lists, cottage wish lists and program wish lists---items which are vital to the successful treatment of the kids served at TCC.   Program donors and participants choose either specific items from these lists or choose a dollar level which they would like to fulfill and the items are purchased on behalf of the children, programs, classrooms or cottages.  Throughout the month of December, these items are delivered to the campus of Tennyson Center where they are sorted and organized.  Children in the TCC residential program receive their gifts on Christmas morning while kids in the TCC Day Treatment/Education program receive their gifts at the annual children’s holiday party on the last day of school prior to the holiday break.  Items acquired for the program, classroom and cottage wish lists are distributed to teachers, therapists and direct-care staff after the holiday break.

Adopt-a-Family

A new addition to the Operation Santa season is the Adopt-a-Family program.  So many families served by Tennyson Center struggle simply to make ends meet, to provide the most basic of needs.  The idea of a joyous holiday season is simply beyond the means of far too many families.  Through our Adopt-a-Family program, donors and supporters will fulfill wish lists submitted by needy families so that they might have an easier time this holiday season.  Families are asked to create wish lists containing items ranging from gifts for their children to essentials such as food certificates, toiletries and linens.  Donors then deliver those items to the TCC campus after which therapists and case workers distribute the items to the families they so closely work with. To become an ADOPT-A-FAMILY participant, call 720-855-3358 or send an email here.

Corporate Sponsorships/Philanthropic Support

Sponsorship of Tennyson Center for Children’s Operation Santa provides businesses, corporations and individuals with an incredible opportunity to be a part of a growing Denver tradition.  Charitable involvement—-especially during the holidays—-is essential to the success of the programs which help to treat and, ultimately, heal the children we serve.  By aligning with Tennyson Center for Children, supporters and donors enjoy the knowledge that they’re not just engaging in philanthropy…they are INVESTING in the world of tomorrow.  To become a corporate sponsor of Operation Santa, call 720-855-3326.

Children's Wish Lists

Every child, whether in the residential program or the day treatment program, will have a wish list for Christmas. Children in the residential treatment program---the kids who live at Tennyson Center 24/7---will choose three gifts. Children in the day treatment program---those who live at home but attend school and therapy sessions at Tennyson Center---will choose one gift. Donors will purchase gifts on behalf of our children and deliver those gifts unwrapped by the designated delivery date. Day treatment children will receive their gifts at a school party just before the holiday break. Residential children will receive their gifts on Christmas morning. To fulfill part or all of a child's wish list, call 720-855-3358 or send an email here.

Classroom Wish Lists

Unlike in the public school system, classrooms at Tennyson Center must rely on donors to supply so much of their academic needs. To ensure that our children are receiving the best education possible, we must keep our learning systems up to date with the latest in educational development, technology and information. Teachers and classroom staff submit wish lists for items they need to make this a reality. These items are vital to the academic success of every child we serve! To fulfill a classroom wish list, call 720-855-3358 or send an email here.

Cottage Wish Lists

Our cottages, where the children in our residential treatment program reside, our such an important element of day to day life at Tennyson Center. After all, the cottages are the temporary home for these children. It is essential that we keep that environment comfortable and up-to-date for the kids. We rely on our donors to help us accomplish this during this special time of year. As with our classrooms, our cottage staff compile wish lists for items they need to ensure that our children have the best possible home away from home during their treatment and time of healing at Tennyson Center. To fulfill a cottage wish list, call 720-855-3358 or send an email here.

Program Wish Lists

The various treatment programs at Tennyson Center are a key element to the healing of the children we serve. Our day treatment program, therapeutic programs, satellite service programs, operational programs and community-based services (family outreach) programs are the core of success for the children and families served. From new therapeutic games to updated rudamentary treatment programs, the wish lists created by our team of therapists, case workers and treatment professionals contain items that will help our children and families get back on track to a fulfilling and happy life. To fulfill a program wish list, call 720-855-3358 or send an email here.

QUESTIONS? Call 720-855-3358 or click here to send an email.

©2007 Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home
2950 Tennyson Street / Denver, CO 80212
303.433.2541 / Fax 303.433.9701 / Toll Free 877.224.8223