Operation GIVE, the on-going community service program created, managed, and supported by ACCESS Destination Services, brought Holiday cheer to 100+ children, ages 3-5, who were in need of some TLC during the holidays.

For the past 12 years, the ACCESS team has “adopted” area Head Start classes as beneficiaries of an internal holiday toy drive. Each year we’ve collected, wrapped and delivered new toys for the boys and girls enrolled in Head Start who may not otherwise be receiving presents for Christmas. With Santa in tow, this day has always been the highlight of the holiday season for our team as we join the children for songs and celebration with Santa in their classrooms.

This year, with the help of local vendor partners, our “Hope for the Holidays” program benefitted all the kids in one area Head Start program and took place in various classes throughout the day. Festive snack bags were prepared and presents were wrapped at an ACCESS office wrapping event, organized and stored until event day.

On event day, our team arrived in holiday spirits and spent the day joyfully engaged with multiple classes, singing Christmas carols, dancing, and creating lifetime memories with the amazing children of the Head Start program! But, hands down, nothing was more widely received by the children than our jovial Santa Claus, an ACCESS team member who has “ho ho ho’d” his way into the hearts of the kids each year. As a special surprise for Santa Claus and the ACCESS team, this year the kids gifted us with a handmade holiday themed wreath along with hand crafted holiday cards with heartfelt messages.

All of our team, including Santa, looks forward to our Operation GIVE – Hope for the Holidays program for years to come. Says ACCESS CEO Chris Lee, “We regularly develop CSR events for our clients within their meeting, conference, or incentive travel programs. Adding meaning into meetings through community service has always been part of the ACCESS Destination Services culture and we are pleased with the positive impact that Operation GIVE has had, especially with Hope for the Holidays. Putting smiles on the faces of those who need hope makes our daily work that much more rewarding.”