Our Story of Caring & Action
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1993
Our organization founder read a Wall Street Journal article about Christmas letters addressed to the Post Office from individuals needing help. The idea was sparked.
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1994
Upon inquiry, the local Post Office confirmed they receive these request letters and state that anyone may respond to them. The associates of Concorde Therapy Group in Canton, Ohio were asked by our founder to help respond to these "unselfish Christmas letters" by raising the necessary funds in the name of Good Ol' St. Nicholas. $400 was raised in the first 10 days. A volunteer suggested delivering the kindness via Jolly Old St. Nicholas. The name Project: St. Nicholas Returns was adopted. There were three deliveries in 1994 and this was all done anonymously!
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1995
Our first Annual Auction/Dinner Dance was held in October of 1995. We kept our donations toward our objectives. We asked for donations toward the hall and entertainment as well as auction items. We brought in a profit of $2,300. We responded to seven letters, including a daughter requesting help for her mother who was dying from cancer. We immediately found that others needed help throughout the year. With the principles of the Golden Rule, bylaws were established such as minimal administrative costs, volunteer base and anonymous giving. We applied for a 501 c 3 non-profit status and Project: St. Nicholas Returns was founded!
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2005
After ten years of serving our communities, we have become a well known and trusted source of assistance. Connections have developed within our public school systems and local universities.
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2017
We raised $73,756 and distributed $70,682 in assistance to 49 families from Medina, Stark, Summit and Tuscarawas counties.
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2022
Project St. Nicholas Returns has now joyfully collected and given over one million dollars to others in need. "Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share." (1 Timothy 6:18) Do you believe in the miracle of Christmas and that it can last all year long?