Big Hearts of Fox Valley Brings Holiday Magic to 597 D303 Children Through Annual Christmas Gift Sponsorship Program & Santa’s Drive-Thru Event

St. Charles, IL — December 2025 — Big Hearts of Fox Valley, an official charity partner of St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 (D303), celebrated its 12th annual Christmas Gift Sponsorship Program, providing holiday gifts to 597 children from 250 families facing financial hardship across the district.

What began in 2014 with just a handful of sponsored children has grown into one of the largest community-supported programs in the Fox Valley area — and this year’s impact was one of the biggest yet.

Hundreds of Donors, Thousands of Gifts, One Community With a Big Heart

Generous local residents, businesses, schools, churches, and organizations shopped from individualized wish lists to ensure each sponsored child received 5–10 thoughtfully selected gifts, including clothing, shoes, coats, toys, and personal items. Dozens more donated toys and teen items through Big Hearts’ Holiday Toy Drive, helping boost each child’s total to an average of 15 gifts this year. Supporters also contributed financially, allowing the organization to purchase the specific items required to fully complete every child’s wish list.

Thanks to additional donations from 100 Women Who Care St. Charles and the Hope and Grace Foundation, every family also received a $50 grocery store gift card to help brighten the holiday season.

A Magical and Efficient Santa’s Drive-Thru Event

On December 2nd, Big Hearts hosted its highly organized Santa’s Drive-Thru Pick-Up Event, where 250 families arrived during scheduled time windows to receive their children’s gifts.

With the support of the St. Charles Fire and Police Departments and dozens of volunteers, vehicles were guided smoothly through a festive drive-thru where families received holiday gifts for each of their children ages birth through 18.

The event operates with remarkable efficiency — averaging one car per minute — ensuring families can pick up gifts privately, quickly, and with dignity.

Seeing the Impact Firsthand

“Every bag represents love, relief, and hope for a family,” said Jennifer Mobley, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Big Hearts of Fox Valley. “Parents who have been struggling get to breathe a little easier. Children who might have had very little to open on Christmas morning will feel seen and celebrated — because this community showed up.”

About Big Hearts of Fox Valley

Big Hearts of Fox Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students and families in need within St. Charles School District 303. As an official D303 charity partner, Big Hearts operates year-round programs including the Christmas Gift Sponsorship Program, Back-to-School supply distribution, and Big Hearts Throughout the Year, which provides essential items such as toiletries, cleaning supplies, clothing, and more.

To learn more or make a donation, visit www.bigheartsfv.org.