What It's All About

Our Mission

The Hope Tree Project’s mission is to plant seeds of hope, one child at a time by providing requested gifts—including clothing, shoes, winter coats, toys, school supplies, and grocery gift cards—to students and families in need at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools during the holiday season.

Our secondary mission is to provide meaningful, hands-on opportunities for children, families, and community members to serve others. Through volunteering, participants develop leadership skills, grow in empathy, and discover the joy of making a difference in the lives of their neighbors.

Ultimately, The Hope Tree Project brings joy, smiles, and hope to families throughout our Charlotte community.

Our Impact

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, The Hope Tree Project has served more than 713 children and 318 families over the past ten years.

More than $194,000 in gifts, necessities, and financial support has been donated—but the true impact can’t be measured in dollars. It’s found in the smiles of children, the relief of parents, and the hope restored to families during the holiday season.

How It Works

The Hope Tree Project partners directly with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) counselors and social workers, who identify families with the greatest needs within their schools. To protect every family’s dignity and privacy, all recipients remain anonymous.

Families apply through their school and must meet established eligibility requirements, including factors such as school attendance and involvement. The Hope Tree Project is not affiliated with any particular religion or organization, but it has been strengthened by the generosity, compassion, and prayers of people from many different faiths and backgrounds.

Each child is sponsored by a member of our community who purchases the specific items on that child’s wish list, including clothing, shoes, a warm winter coat, and favorite toys. Community partners also donate grocery and household gift cards, helping families meet essential needs during the holiday season.

The week before gift delivery, volunteers gather for our signature Mingle Jingle celebration. This joyful event is led by older children and teens who are passionate about serving others. Volunteers of every age help package gifts into reusable bags, stuff stockings, create handmade crafts, and prepare everything for delivery.

In the days that follow, volunteers deliver the gifts to participating schools, where families pick them up before winter break—bringing hope, relief, and the magic of Christmas to hundreds of children.

How You Can Help

There are many ways to become part of The Hope Tree Project.

Sponsor a Child
Purchase the specific clothing, shoes, coat, and toys from a child’s wish list and deliver them to the North Pole before the Mingle Jingle celebration.

Donate Gift Cards
Provide Food Lion or Walmart gift cards to help families purchase groceries and everyday necessities.

Make a Financial Donation
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all donations are tax-deductible. One hundred percent of every dollar donated goes directly to Hope Tree families.

Become a VIP Elf
Volunteer behind the scenes by helping prepare donations, leading an activity at Mingle Jingle, or delivering gifts to participating schools.

Everyone Is Welcome

Whether you’re an individual, family, business, church, school, scout troop, neighborhood, or civic group, there is a place for you in The Hope Tree Project.

The more hearts we have serving together, the more hope we can share.

Join us in planting seeds of hope—one child, one family, and one act of kindness at a time.

Our Nonprofit

The Hope Tree Project is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Tax ID (EIN): 99-3871864

All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, and 100% of every donated dollar goes directly to Hope Tree families.

How It Started

What began as a simple idea to help a few local families has grown into a community-wide effort that brings together hundreds of volunteers each year. Friends, families, schools, churches, businesses, and children of all ages unite with one common purpose: to share hope with neighbors who need it most.

More than a decade later, that same mission continues to inspire our work. Every gift donated, every stocking stuffed, every bag packed, and every volunteer who says “yes” helps plant another seed of hope that continues to grow long after the holidays have ended.  More on How It Started