Book Santa: Becoming someone's Santa

Charity Santa is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2008 with the motto "You too can be someone's Santa Claus."  Since 2008, Charity Santa has made it its mission to bring joy to children around the holiday season with the hope of creating a treasured memory.

*The following information comes from the official Charity Santa website:

There are three main pillars of our current activities: (1) "Santa Activities," in which volunteers dressed as Santa Claus deliver presents to families with small children on Christmas Eve. Donations (charity money) from families are used to provide presents to other children. (2) "Support Activities," in which we collect donations from individuals and corporations in general, and provide support to children and parents in difficult situations free of charge. (3) "Collaboration Projects," in which we work hand in hand with other NPOs, as well as companies and local governments, to create systems.  

We are implementing a variety of projects, including Book Santa in collaboration with bookstores across the country, Share Cake in collaboration with pastry shops, full-scale research projects with the help of external consultants (e.g., publishing the Santa White Paper ), collaborations with companies and local governments, and product development with donations in collaboration with department stores and bakeries.

Initially, the charity's activities focused on educational support in developing countries, but after the Great East Japan Earthquake, it began to focus on supporting children in Japan as well. Currently, it also supports families and children facing various challenges, such as poverty and disasters in Japan.

*Support for developing countries continues through Santa Mother's Dream.

Every year, Charity Santa has a charity campaign called ‘Book Santa’.  ‘Book Santa’ is a social contribution project launched in 2017 by the certified NPO Charity Santa in collaboration with bookstores to provide books to children across the country who face various challenges and experience disparities. When people who want to give a book as a gift buy one, the book is delivered to children through hundreds of NPOs across the country, including Charity Santa” (Charity Santa). 

I recently learned about Book Santa a few months ago, and as someone who loves to read, I was thrilled at the opportunity to support children’s love of reading.  In today’s blog, I will walk you through the process of participating in “Book Santa’ and talk about my experience doing it.  You are free to purchase as many books as you are interested in donating.  Please don’t feel pressured to purchase more than 1 book unless it’s financially feasible for you to do so.

On the official website, Book Santa has a list of participating bookstores categorized by region.

Book Santa's store finder

After inquiring about the campaign at the counter, I was handed a support book.  There were no signs around the bookstore indicating which books were acceptable, but the pamphlet provided guidelines on which types of books were not permitted.

After that, I started my hunt for books for preschoolers to high school students.  “This is going to be so easy”, I said to myself as I started walking around the bookstore.  I quickly realized after turning 2 corners that it was, in fact, not going to be easy.  There were thousands of books that I could choose from, and I had no idea what to pick.  

What if they’ve already read it?

What if they think it’s boring?

How much IS this book?  

Those were all questions I had at some point.  But I ended up choosing a Christmas-themed book and a Disney book, but it didn’t feel like it was enough.  So, I approached a mother who was shopping with her daughter.  I told her about ‘Book Santa’ and her daughter recommended an interesting book series. 

With their help and their approval on the other books I had chosen, I headed to the counter to pay for the books and return the store’s support book.  After paying for the books, the book clerk thanked me for supporting ‘Book Santa, ’ and I received a booklet from Charity Santa that expressed gratitude for the donation and a cute little sticker. 

It was nice to learn about new books while supporting children’s love of reading.  This is definitely something I plan to continue supporting every year.

So, if you love reading and sharing that love of reading, or if you’re looking for a cause to support, look into Charity Santa’s ‘Book Santa’ and find a participating bookstore near you.  

Merry Christmas🎄and happy perusing 📖.