How We Help > Christmas House

Christmas House is the Chapel Hill Service League’s signature annual community project. For more than 50 years, this event has helped to make the holidays brighter for local, financially disadvantaged families. With the generous support of the community, hundreds of new toys, books and coats are collected and beautifully displayed for a magical one-day shopping spree at the Christmas House location. Parents and guardians of needy children are invited to select the perfect gifts for their families. On average, close to 800 children are served each year.

There are numerous toy drives during the holiday season. Christmas House is distinguished by two unique features. First, the festivities of Christmas House are designed for the parents and guardians of the children, rather than the children themselves. The League promotes the ability of the families to select gifts based on their knowledge of their children’s interests and talents. The joy this provides the parents is immeasurable and makes gift giving more meaningful.  Second, Christmas House provides the entire community the opportunity to come together in a single project of sharing. The project kicks off with Wish Tree, a community party hosted by University Mall. Individuals, businesses and organizations donate funds, goods and services to make Christmas House a success.

Coach Sylvia Hatchell & the Grupo Danza Folkloricas Colombianas join the Wish Tree celebration.

We would like to thank the following organizations & individuals for making Christmas House a success:

Thank you also to members of the community for your generous donations.

"Being involved with Christmas House is one of the most meaningful and exciting events of my year. I am always amazed by what the League does."
Sylvia Hatchell, UNC Women's Basketball Coach and Christmas House Honorary Chairperson