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Thank you to all who participated in Operation Santa!! We appreciate your help in making Christmas a little more special for kids in foster/kinship care in Iowa.

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We held 20 parties throughout the state hosted by 12 different nonprofits. Our mission was to get a gift to every child placed out of home in Iowa, and it was accomplished. This would not have been possible without a collaborative effort by all of these nonprofits.

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We received over 2,600 wish lists from foster and kinship families and all of those lists were fulfilled by donors.

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Stay tuned for ways you can support Operation Santa 2025. If you'd like to serve on our committee or if you have a company that would like to donate or sponsor, please contact us today though the button below!

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Learn more about the vision behind Operation Santa - Operation Santa 2024

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Our Partnering Nonprofits Include:​

  • Beauty Amidst the Ashes

  • Cedar Valley Angels

  • Cornerstone Church

  • Fostering Crossroads

  • Foster SQUAD

  • Foster the Family

  • Four Oaks

  • Kings and Queens Local

  • Lutheran Services in Iowa

  • My G.E.A.R. Outreach

  • Seasons Center

  • Setting Anchors

About Operation Santa

Operation Santa, spearheaded by Foster SQUAD, is dedicated to bringing the magic of Christmas to foster, kinship, and adoptive families in the Des Moines, Iowa area and across the state. Through partnerships with local nonprofits, including the Youth Law Center and Des Moines Public Library, the initiative ensures children in foster care experience the joy and inclusion of the holiday season. In 2023, over 465 children and 240 families were supported with gifts, celebrations, and acts of kindness that created lasting memories. In 2024, the event went statewide and support over 2800 kids!!

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Operation Santa unites more several nonprofits throughout Iowa to host festive Christmas parties and fulfill personalized wish lists, giving children a sense of normalcy and belonging during the holidays. These efforts also create opportunities for biological and foster families to come together, strengthening connections and building community. From gifts for teens in supervised living to celebrations for children across the state, every detail is designed to spread joy and make each child feel cherished.

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Community support is essential to making this mission a success. Whether you purchase a gift from a child’s wish list, donate funds, or volunteer your time, your contribution helps make the holidays magical for kids who need it most. Together, we can show foster children in Iowa that they are loved and supported this Christmas season.

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