Substitutes for Santa Brightens Holiday for 120 Local Children

Substitutes for Santa Brightens Holiday for 120 Local Children

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 5, 2019

Media Contact:

Sarah Stephens
Communications Manager
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
O: 843- 916-7295
Sarah.Stephens@VisitMyrtleBeach.com

Substitutes for Santa Brightens Holiday for 120 Local Children 

The Grand Strand Young Professionals (GSYP) and SOS Healthcare hosted the 13^th Annual Substitutes for Santa on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, providing a unique Christmas experience for 120 local underprivileged children. 

Each child was paired with a volunteer for an evening of fun and shopping. The event began with dinner at Fun Warehouse, followed by skating, laser tag, inflatables and crafts, before moving to the Highway 544 Walmart where each volunteer assisted their child in picking toys and other items from their wish lists. Each child also received a swag bag full of household necessities and had the opportunity to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

“Substitutes for Santa is a heartwarming example of the true spirit of the season,” said Karen Riordan, president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC). “The community really comes together to provide an experience for these children that they wouldn’t have otherwise. We’re proud of the Grand Strand Young Professionals who make this event a success each year.”

GSYP, a MBACC program designed to help young professionals network and connect with their peers in the Grand Strand, holds several fundraising events throughout the year to raise money to support this event, and volunteers, donations and sponsors help make it successful.

"The community makes this holiday season brighter for the children through donations and volunteering their time,” said Caroline Murray, GSYP liaison and Substitutes for Santa organizer. "We could not do this without the support of the local community.”  

This event would not be possible without the partnership between GSYP and Fun Warehouse and the generous donations from Mozzarella’s, Sonic and Duck Donuts. The presenting sponsors for the 2019 Subs for Santa include: Dependable Services, Grand Strand Optimist Club, Myrtle Beach Downtown Redevelopment Corporation, and Portside Grande Dunes.

The additional sponsors are: Alabama Theatre, Angelos, Berry Financial Group, Board and Brush, BurgerFi, Custom T-Shirt Zone, EzEasel, FSI Office, Genco, Jackson Companies, Johnny D's, Liberty Tax, Little River Medical Center, MBACC Ambassadors, Media Marketing, MM Golf & Travel, Monarch Roofing, Monarch Solar, Moore & Associates, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Myrtle Beach Wedding Officiant, Native Sons, Pigtails & Crewcuts, Premier Sound, Satellite & Security, Revolution Mortgage, Simply Southern, Skutchi Design, The Power of Elderberries, Tides Eye Photography, Twelve31 Media, and Ultimate Pet Services.

Those interested in partnering with GSYP for next year’s event should contact Caroline Murray at (843) 916-7234.

 # # #

About The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Since 1938, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has stood as the unified voice of the Grand Strand's business community. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the MBACC its five-star accreditation, one of only several chambers in South Carolina to earn this distinction. The MBACC serves Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Little River, Atlantic Beach, Garden City Beach, Loris, Conway, Aynor, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.

Visit GSYP on Facebook to view photos from the event.