A True Christmas Project 2023
Donation protected
Hey there!
I hope you are getting excited for the most wonderful time of the year. It is my pleasure to announce that A True Christmas Project is back for 2023! As many of you know, this is my family’s Christmas Project that takes place every year in my hometown of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Please join me in kicking off the 11th year of the online fundraising initiative for this volunteer project.
Everything started nearly 30 years ago when my uncle, Heleno Dória, wanted to provide the children with the opportunity to take pictures with Santa Claus. In the early days of this project, Santa walked around the shanty towns handing out candy and popcorn. Santa also took photos with the children. Then, Santa started using a motorcycle in 1997 to hand out candy and gifts. Today, we have a motorcade with more than 30 vehicles every year. Additionally, a team of amazing volunteers help distribute gifts, clothes, and food to needy children.
Since 2012, the quality and quantity of gifts for Brazilian children have drastically improved with the introduction of online fundraising. Getting our family and friends from the US involved in this project has been a game-changer.
In 2022, we saw the third biggest year of our volunteer project. Last year, we maintained the quality and quantity of the gifts. We purchased a total of 1069 gifts. The average toy price was R$ 20.77 (USD $3.99). Just a few years ago, we used to buy toys that ranged from R$1 - R$1 (USD $0.20 - $0.40)!
Below are the results from the past years. We have raised $41,878 with the help of 1,067 online donors since we started the online fundraiser in 2012.
2012: $1,475 raised by 45 people
2013: $2,876 raised by 118 people
2014: $3,715 raised by 125 people
2015: $3,920 raised by 137 people
2016: $6,010 raised by 151 people
2017: $4,780 raised by 120 people
2018: $5,448 raised by 116 people
2019: $5,510 raised by 108 people
2020: Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021: $3,725 raised by 63 people
2022: $4,419 raised by 84 people
In 2023, our goal is to raise a minimum of $4,000 from our online fundraiser campaign. Funds will be used to buy high-quality gifts ranging from $1-$10. For those who have actively participated in the past, I kindly ask you to help us by sharing this initiative within your networks. Thank you so much for your continued support.
Social Media Pages:
Special Note:
As always, 100% of the funds raised will be used to buy gifts directly from the wholesale supplier in Brazil, by me, on December 20, 2023. Receipts will be uploaded to Google Drive and links will be shared. Although we’d like to obtain 501 (c) (3) status from the IRS in the future due to outstanding growth in recent years, this fundraiser is not tax-deductible. My idea is that this personal fund will make it easier for my friends to donate to this project organized by my family.
Link to photos and videos from past events:
Photos
2020: Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
Videos
A True Christmas Project 2022: Recap Video
A True Christmas Project 2021: Recap Video
A True Christmas Project 2020: Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
A True Christmas Project 2019: TV Coverage (enable CC for translation to English) / Instagram Videos
A True Christmas Project 2018: Recap video and interviews
A True Christmas Project 2017:Instagram Stories / Brazilian TV News
A True Christmas Project 2016: Recap video and interviews
A True Christmas Project 2015: Recap video and interviews
A True Christmas Project 2014: Recap video and interviews
A True Christmas Project 2013: Behind the scenes preparations
A True Christmas Project 2012: Interview with NBC Boston
A True Christmas Project 2007: Feature on a Brazilian network channel
About "A True Christmas" Project
A True Christmas Project's is to bring a smile to the needy children of Brazilian shanty towns on Christmas day. We aim to reach as many children as possible every year by giving them simple but meaningful gifts on Christmas day. When a gift is not possible, Santa Claus is around the corner to make the children laugh and give them hope for a better tomorrow.
Everything started nearly 30 years ago when my uncle, Heleno Dória, wanted to provide the children with the opportunity to take pictures with Santa Claus. In the early days of this project, Santa walked around the shanty towns handing out candy and popcorn. Santa also took photos with the children. Then, Santa started using a motorcycle in 1997 to hand out candy and gifts. Today, we have a motorcade with more than 30 vehicles every year. Additionally, a team of amazing volunteers help distribute gifts, clothes and food to needy children.
Would you like to participate? The motorcade starts every December 25th around 10am in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. If you would like to volunteer, please join us. If you have not donated yet, please become a donor. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Philippe Cândido.
Disclaimer
"The views expressed on this fundraising website are my personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer. The posts and opinions expressed on this website are solely my own. They do not represent (nor are they intended to represent) the positions, opinions or policies of my employer or any other company or person. Please note that donations from my employer’s vendors and suppliers will not be accepted.”
Organizer
Philippe Cândido
Organizer
Bedford, NH