We are a community of volunteers keeping the Fairbanks tradition of providing food and toys to families in need during the holidays. This tradition was started by the Snedden family in Fairbanks more than 60 years ago, and is now being continued by Santa’s Helpers 501(c) in collaboration with the North Star Community Foundation (www.nscfundalaska.org), Fairbanks Nissan Dealers, our local Food Bank and all the volunteers who have been involved during the rebuilding of this organization. Let’s continue neighbors helping neighbors for decades to come!
Meet the Board Members
Kristen Lawson, President of Santa’s Helpers
I have been volunteering with Santa’s Helpers since 2020 and have been on the Board of Santa’s Helpers since the inception of the Board in 2021. I was dropping off donations at Nissan and was intrigued by this huge room full of toys! I joined the volunteer team and wanted to help make improvements on the process to ensure this amazing organization keeps helping families in need for years to come. To have such an amazing group of people help families have a better Christmas is what it is all about. My hope every year is that we can help everyone that needs it!
Being able to help these families give their kids a great Christmas is what I love doing! One fond memory I have is speaking to a single mom on the phone who was having troubles, in tears that she didn’t even have a Christmas tree for her kids. My family had an extra tree and ornaments at home so my son and I delivered them to her door. My son was so excited about it all; it was an amazing feeling to be able to help!
Les Nichols, Vice-President of Santa’s Helpers
I have been volunteering with Santa’s Helpers since 2016 and have been on the Board of Santa’s Helpers since the inception of the Board in 2021.I really like our mission to bring food and joy to children and families in need during the Christmas season. I enjoy seeing our growth to help more families each year to make Christmas special! Our future looks bright as we are growing partnerships and Community involvement.
I love watching people from all over the North Star Borough come together to take care of each other. We see participation from businesses, law enforcement, military, youth organizations, churches and educators. It’s a beautiful event!
Joe Gonzales, Secretary of Santa’s Helpers
I have been volunteering with Santa’s Helpers since 2018 and have been on the Board of Santa’s Helpers since the inception of the Board in 2021. I showed up to help them out in 2018 and to see what it was about. I liked the concept of helping make sure families have a better Christmas. When we got in the car to leave, the kids all asked, “can we come back tomorrow?”
I was raised to value service, involving the kids to pass on to them. The need continues in our community, so we do our best to make time to help. “We help where we can.” At the very least, I would like to see us maintain the ability to help 300 families. Ideally, I would like to see the organization expand if possible.
I have spoken to people multiple times, on the phone and in person, who told me that without us, their kids would not have had Christmas as most would understand it, gifts, good food, etc. Sadly every year we also have families that experience sudden need- death in the family, house fires, etc. Through us, they can at least have Christmas!
Nichole Thompson, Treasurer of Santa’s Helpers
I have been volunteering with Santa’s Helpers since 2019 and have been on the Board of Santa’s Helpers since the inception of the Board in 2021. I began volunteering when I found myself with some free time around Christmas and heard about this great resource for families in the Fairbanks area. I truly believe in the mission of Santa’s Helpers in providing not only presents but also food for families in need in a crucial time of year.
I continue to volunteer for the organization and stay on the Board because I see the good that we do in the community and how much we are needed. I remember a particular story of a woman who was pregnant with twins and had several other children when her husband ended his life shortly before Christmas time. It was one of the most tragic situations I have come across, but the gratitude that the woman showed for what we were able to do for her was incredible. There are so many stories that have been shared of people benefiting from this program or knowing someone that has that we must keep it going. I think Santa’s Helpers is a great community resource for those in need and we have a great Board and volunteers to keep us able to help as many people as we can.
Meet the Committee Members
- Joy Gonzales
- Alan Mitchell
- Toni Brewer
- Kayla Smith