New this year, Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities has started The Wishing Tree for businesses and organizations to help support the families who call our Houses home during the holiday season.

Ornament tags offer gift ideas for the children, siblings, and families staying at our two locations in Atlanta during the month of December. Ornaments also provide food and household items we use year round at our Houses and Family Room. These items assist us in providing a “home away from home” for more than 2,000 families a year.

Items collected from the Wishing Tree are then provided to our families through Santa’s Workshop.

“Santa’s Workshop is one of the ways we bring holiday cheer to our families,” says Kelsey McCullough, volunteer manager for the Gatewood House. “This is my favorite time of year at the House. I love seeing the families in the workshop and the fun they have shopping for their children.”

“Seeing the joy on parents and children’s faces as they pick out special gifts for their family members drives home the spirit of the holidays,” adds Jessica Perez, volunteer manager at the Peachtree-Dunwoody House.

Donated items are put into the workshop for families to complete their Holiday “shopping” in a stress-free environment. Parents are able to shop for their children and children can shop for their parents and siblings. Santa’s Workshop is one way our families can still celebrate the holiday season, even though they are miles away from home.

We are thankful for our community and friends who make Santa’s Workshop come to life every year! If you, your family, or your company is interested in having a Wishing Tree this holiday season, click here for more information.