Agape Charitable Foundation

"Christmas in July" is our programs that provide back to school supplies to patients and their siblings. Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers (TXCH) reports over 3,000 newly diagnosed patients each year, with an average of 80 inpatients a day and over 73,500 outpatient clinic visits per year. These innocent kids are forced to miss a lot of school! Sadly, even if these kids survive their battle against cancer, often times they don't win when it
comes to their education. Most have the stigma of being “the sick kid” upon their return to school, making the transition rather difficult. Unfortunately, due to being so far behind their peers, a large majority simply lose hope of ever catching up, eventually dropping out altogether.
We all know how overwhelming the back to school shopping experience can be! Now, imagine that stress paired with the stress of having a child diagnosed with a
life-threatening disease. The out of pocket expenses for treatment alone is exhaustive, not to mention the cost to get your kids the school supplies, clothes, and other essentials required to start the school year. In an effort to alleviate that stress, Stuff the Sleigh has established Christmas in July to ensure patients and their families have everything they need to start the school year off right!
For the last 2 years, Stuff the Sleigh has supported over 60 families (approximately 150 people per year) through this program.
- Each parent also received over $200 in gift cards to purchase any missing items and groceries.

Our "Holiday Angels" program is similar but focuses on providing holiday wishes to 50 patients, siblings, and families.  In 2017, our Holiday Angels program matched community partners with approximately 60 patients and families who completed applications with holiday wish lists.  In 2019, our Holiday Angels Party provided toys, clothes, and gift cards to over 330 people (from 70 families). Each parent also received (on average) $250 in gift cards to purchase any missing items for their kids and to buy their holiday. The exchange of the items for both the Christmas in July and the Holiday Angels Program will take place at a party hosted by Stuff the Sleigh in a central location where community partners and families can meet and enjoy pictures with Santa, food, and festivities.

Program grants various types of once in a lifetime family experiences to chronically ill patients when other traditional wish-granting organizations are not able to assist. Patients are selected by their medical team based on selection criteria set by Stuff the Sleigh, specifically targeting families who have had an especially rough experience and would deeply benefit from an experience as a family.