LEO SANTA

LEO SANTA

Website: leosantakids.com

Address: 325 Rocky Slope Road, Suite 104-241, Greenville, SC 29607
Phone: 864-214-5935

Facebook Handle: facebook.com/leosantatoydrive
Instagram Handle: @leosantatoydrive

Established: 2020
Geographic Service Area: Greenville and Spartanburg counties

Funding Sources

• Toy collections: 40%
• Fundraising events (gala and silent auction): 35%
• In-kind donations: 15%
• Corporate sponsorships/grants: 5%
• Outreach/monetary donations: 5%

Mission Statement

LEO SANTA partners with first responders, volunteers, businesses and schools within our community to bring hope and comfort to children facing hardship in Upstate South Carolina. We support underrepresented children, so they feel seen, valued and cared for. Throughout the year, we provide relief to children affected by tragic or unforeseen circumstances, helping them rebuild a sense of safety and normalcy. Community collaboration directly fuels these efforts — empowering us to lift spirits, restore hope and make a lasting difference in a child’s life. Moreover, we foster meaningful connections between first responders and the communities they serve, promoting trust, compassion and lasting relationships.

Impact

LEO SANTA is a consortium of first responders who volunteer off-duty to provide gifts to children in need through donations from the Upstate community. Our nonprofit supports underrepresented children through two programs: Santa’s Heroes, a year-round toy drive, and Reignite Hope, which aids families after house fires. In 2025, LEO SANTA collected over 30,000 toys and served 8,450 children, each receiving three to five gifts. Reignite Hope also supported five displaced families with guided shopping for toys and essentials, helping restore comfort and stability.

Leadership

Board of Directors

Executive Committee:
Jeremy Jones, founder and president
GCSO Capt. Pat Donohue, chairman and Greenville County Sheriff’s Office liaison
Christina Weiner, vice president
Chief Gary Brock, vice chairman
Billy Crank, treasurer
Angel Reaves, secretary
Bart McEntire, past president

Board Members:
Tess Donohue, senior director of marketing and fundraising
Wendy Thacker, fundraising committee
Michelle Keller, finance committee
Anne Lee Buck, toy collection committee
Rob Ianuario, legal council
SCSO Capt. Michelle Johnson, Spartanburg chapter liaison
Sean Dogan, toy collection committee
Nicholas Jones, Emergency Services liaison
GPD Captain Mike Yearout, Greenville City Police liaison

Fundraisers and Events

LEO SANTA hosts a variety of fundraising and community events that support our mission of bringing joy to children across the Upstate. Toy collections at local businesses help gather new, unwrapped gifts throughout the year. Our largest fundraiser, the annual Gala and Silent Auction, brings together supporters to raise critical funding for our programs. We host an annual car show that engages the community while supporting our cause. We also host a 28-hour Toy Drive at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. In addition, upstate fire departments lead an annual Memorial Day Weekend Boot Drive in support of LEO SANTA’s Reignite Hope program. Community outreach events allow us to connect with diverse audiences, while charity events sponsored by partner organizations strengthen awareness and collaboration, helping us expand our impact and serve more children each year. If interested in supporting our fundraising efforts, contact us at fundraising@leosantakids.com.

Every act of kindness contributes to LEO SANTA’s growing movement — one that ensures no child is forgotten and no family faces hardship alone. Community members can support our mission by volunteering or by simply spreading the word about our nonprofit. Volunteer opportunities include supporting toy collections, assisting in warehouse toy sorting and participating in community outreach events. Individuals may also serve as Santa ambassadors, bringing joy directly to children throughout the year, or contribute their leadership skills by joining our board. Each role plays a vital part in strengthening our mission and expanding our impact across the Upstate. If interested, contact us at volunteers@leosantakids.com.

Giving Opportunities

LEO Santa offers multiple ways for individuals and organizations to support underrepresented children across the Upstate.

• Give online at leosantakids.com/donate or by mail (make checks payable to LEO SANTA and send to 325 Rocky Slope Road, Suite 104-241, Greenville, SC 29607)
• Donate new and unwrapped toys. Learn how at leosantakids.com/get-involved
• Become a toy collection site. Register online at leosantakids.com/becomeacollectionsite or contact us at toycollections@leosanta.com.

Interested in supporting our fundraising efforts? Contact us at fundraising@leosantakids.com to learn more about:

• Organizing a workplace giving campaign or event
• Becoming a corporate sponsor
• Collaborating with us to secure corporate grant funding
• Making a charitable contribution or an in-kind donation

Interested in supporting our annual Gala & Silent Auction? Visit us online leosantakids.com/gala or contact us at fundraising@leosantakids.com to learn more about:

• Becoming a Gala sponsor
• Donating a product and/or service
• Purchasing a table or tickets to attend