Katy Christian Ministries’ Santa’s Sleigh Brings Holiday Joy to Local Families in Need
For over 30 years, Katy Christian Ministries (KCM) has ensured that struggling families in the Katy area don’t have to choose between keeping the lights on and celebrating the holidays. This year, the nonprofit’s Santa’s Sleigh program is once again spreading Christmas cheer by connecting generous donors with local children and senior adults in need of a holiday blessing.
Santa’s Sleigh is a community-driven holiday gift adoption initiative organized by KCM Social Services. The program is open exclusively to active clients of KCM who have undergone a full case management assessment—families and individuals already navigating financial hardship. In 2024 alone, the program brightened the holidays for more than 1,300 children and seniors with personalized gifts, and in 2023, that number reached over 2,800.
How It Works: Adopt a Child or Senior in Katy
Community members can adopt a child or senior adult by filling out a simple online form found here. Once registered, a KCM volunteer “elf” will match the adopter with a Christmas wish list from a local recipient. Each list includes the person’s age, gender, clothing size, favorite colors, and three holiday gift wishes. Donors are encouraged to use their own judgment when shopping, with an estimated total spend of $100–$125 per recipient.
Groups adopting 10 or more individuals are asked to appoint a chairperson to coordinate communication with KCM and ensure fairness across families.
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Gift drop-off is scheduled for Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Katy ISD Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy, TX 77494 (West Entrance). Gifts should be placed in heavy-duty black trash bags, clearly labeled with the family ID and child or senior’s name. Items should remain unwrapped, though donors may include wrapping paper in a separate bag. Bicycles or wagons should be fully assembled and labeled accordingly.
Due to space and logistics, KCM asks donors not to provide large items such as furniture or appliances. Instead, gift cards—especially for food—are appreciated and should be labeled and handed directly to the Santa’s Sleigh Chairperson during drop-off.
Restoring Dignity and Joy
Beyond the gifts themselves, the Santa’s Sleigh program reflects KCM’s broader mission to support families not just with emergency aid, but with dignity and compassion. For families barely making ends meet, the chance to give their child or an elderly loved one a meaningful holiday can be deeply restorative.
"Celebrating Christmas can be really hard for families who are struggling just to keep a roof over their heads and the lights turned on," KCM shared. “Your participation can help restore hope and joy in the hearts of these families.”
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KCM takes the privacy and dignity of its clients seriously. No personal information—such as last names or addresses—will ever be shared. Likewise, donors are asked not to include their own identifying information or directly contact the recipients.
Making a Difference in Katy, One Gift at a Time
As Katy continues to grow, so does the need. Programs like Santa’s Sleigh are a lifeline for countless families and seniors, and a shining example of what’s possible when neighbors step up for one another. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the area, this is an opportunity to be part of something that truly matters—bringing joy, dignity, and hope to someone who needs it most.
For more information and to view the full 2025 donor guidelines, visit the official Santa’s Sleigh page or download the Adoption Guidelines PDF.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
