Be the change

To inspire hope and uplift the spirits of Chicago's less fortunate by providing vital care packages with hygiene products, winter essentials, snacks, and personalized encouraging notes every Christmas Eve. These Care Packages are made by children and teens fostering a community of kindness and support.

Operation Young Santa is a nonprofit organization that provides care packages to the less fortunate on the West-side of Chicago. Started in December 10 years ago by Dereon Pyles. While at Dollar Tree with his Mother he noticed a man without gloves or a hat asking for food. Dereon instantly wanted to help the man and asked his mother for ideas on how to help him. He decided to stuff a bag with items that he thought an unhoused person would need. His mother loved the idea and was so proud of it she shared it on social media. A few family members and friends wanted to help make bags for others that may be without and the movement started. The first year started with 50 bags and now this year goal is 1,000!

Within these care packages are winter necessities commonly taken for granted, snacks, and personal hygiene product. Durning Christmas in July lunch is provided as well as summer essentials. Throughout biannual events, we showcase to volunteers that Christmas isn’t all about receiving, but giving. As well as that the Christmas spirit of kindness could be shown year round. 

Over the past 10 years, we have accomplished many important milestones in our mission to support the unhoused, including expanding our numbers of care packages yearly and holding a drive in the month of July as well. Dereon’s story has been told on ABC‘s Chicago Proud News segment, several Social Media outlets like Yahoo! News and Chicago Defender Newspaper. We’ve blessed over 6,000 people and counting!