Hope Haven Santa

DeKALB – One of Michael Zack’s fondest memories is when his father visited his kindergarten class dressed as Santa Claus.

His father died in 2015, and for the past five years, Zack has honored his memory by dressing as Santa and bringing Christmas presents to the children at Hope Haven. Zack’s wife, Carrie, dresses as Mrs. Claus and their 12-year-old daughter, Alyssa, dresses as the head elf as they deliver the gifts.

Hope Haven in DeKalb provides shelter, meals and life skills programs for the homeless while preparing them for rehousing.

This year, Zack and his family will buy gifts for 20 children at Hope Haven.

To fundraise, he has created a GoFundMe page, Christmas Gifts for Homeless Children.

He also has created a blog, www.santablogs.com, to share news about what he and his family are doing to bring Christmas to the children of Hope Haven.

Zack spoke to Midweek reporter Katrina Milton about his family’s mission to help children at Hope Haven.

Milton: How would you describe what you do for Hope Haven?

Zack: It’s not an official organization; we’re just a family doing this. I guess you can call me the Hope Haven Santa. It all started back in 2015, when my dad passed away. He played Santa for me when I was in kindergarten for my kindergarten class. I will always, always remember bragging to my classmates that that was my dad. That memory stuck with me for decades. When he passed away, I wanted to honor his memory.

Milton: Why have you continued
giving Christmas gifts?

Zack: After I did it that first year, I saw how much of a need there was and how nobody else in the community was doing anything like that. I was helping them get items on their Christmas gift list. It was a great experience, and I loved being able to help. I’ve been continuing to do this year after year.

Milton: How do you fundraise?

Zack: We’ve been doing fundraising online. A few days ago, we attended a virtual meeting of the Sycamore Kiwanis Club, and they’ve generously agreed to help us purchase some gifts this year. Right now, we have about $760 raised, and we definitely need more money. I’d love to have $7,000, but I’d be happy with $2,000. With $2,000, we can make it work. That would be roughly $100 per kid. People can also donate directly to Hope Haven because they always need help. We’re asking for all donations to be in by Dec. 20 so we can purchase the gifts.

Milton: Has fundraising been difficult due to the pandemic?

Zack: This year, it’s been a little harder to fundraise. We now have 20 kids to buy for this year, and one of the kids on our list hasn’t even been born yet. We are buying gifts for kids ages 7 or 8 months old in their mom’s womb to about 17 years old.

Milton: How do you purchase the gifts?

Zack: We rely on sales and make every penny count. So far this year, we’ve bought four pairs of Nike shoes, several coats, warm clothes, toys and hats. We have a lot of stuff, but we’ve just scratched the surface.

Milton: What happens after raising money and purchasing gifts?

Zack: When we can hit our goal for raising money, we purchase gifts and ask Hope Haven for a date that works, as close to Christmas as possible. I dress up as Santa, my wife, Carrie, dresses up as Mrs. Claus and my 12-year-old daughter, Alyssa, dresses up as the head elf, and we deliver the gifts to Hope Haven. This year, we will be dropping off the gifts, because no guests are allowed inside the Hope Haven building. The gifts will be put under the tree so the children can open them on Christmas morning.

Milton: Why did you choose Hope Haven?

Zack: Hope Haven is true to its name. They help people who need a home, a place to stay. They help those who have hit bottom and need a helping hand. Hope Haven is there to do that. They don’t judge, they lift up people when they need it.

Milton: How many children do you help?

Zack: Last year was our biggest ever with 13 children. This year, we have 20, which is so much more. The things they’re asking for are heartbreaking. Four kids are asking for bed sheets. Something bad must have really happened that they don’t even have that. They need gifts this Christmas. They need something to let them know that we care for them. Many asked for warm weather items like coats, gloves, hats and scarves. One kid wanted a volleyball.

Milton: Why is helping others at Christmastime so important?

Zack: Every year around Christmastime, we are told to help the helpless, to give to the needy, to show others that we care. Santa is one of the symbols of the season. He represents the best in us. He’s the one that cares, the one that gives without asking for anything in return. He looks out at the world and sees the best in us. What I would ask the people reading this article is to be Santa. To give to the children, which is what we are trying to do. It’s all about the spirit of Christmas, helping those that need it most and letting them know that there’s someone out there that cares about them. It’s all about giving them a little bit of hope and making the world a better place.