Substitutes For Santa to Provide Holiday Gifts for 120 Local Children

This holiday season, 120 local children will have gifts under the Christmas tree thanks to the efforts of Substitutes for Santa, an annual charity event hosted by Grand Strand Young Professionals (GSYP) in partnership with SOS Care. Volunteers will gather on Dec. 7, 2021, at Walmart in Surfside Beach to purchase the holiday presents.

“Due to COVID, the children will not be there during the shopping experience; however, we’ll have more than 120 amazing volunteers playing the role of Santa to ensure this holiday season is filled with cheer for some special young ones. Thanks to the generous contributions of our sponsors and donations made during GSYP fundraisers, each child will receive $100 worth of presents,” said Caroline Yahnis, GSYP liaison and Substitutes for Santa organizer.

The presenting sponsors for the 2021 Substitutes for Santa are Grand Strand Optimist Club, Truist, APPCO Power Solutions, Liberty Tax, Vines Plumbing & Water Restoration, David Aylor Law Firm, and Carolina Cool.

Additional sponsors include Carolina Home Exteriors, Berry Financial, The Jackson Companies, Spann Roofing, Dr. Jen Orthodontics, Edward Jones - Jason Toy, Ron Jon Surf Shop - Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach, Publix, LGS Class 40, Edward Jones  - Jamie Croland, Palmetto Cheese, Santee Cooper, Johns Crazy Socks, CVS, Saranoni Blankets for Kids, Grand Palms Resort, Sawgrass Pediatric Dentistry, Sexton Dental, Dunes Dental Associates, Monarch Roofing and Solar, 4Imprint, Vacation Myrtle Beach, Meher Spiritual Center, Sun N Sand, Market Common Dentistry, Ryan Korros Team, Johnny D's, and Happy Teeth Dentistry.

GSYP works closely with Horry County Schools to identify elementary-aged students who would benefit from the program. Once purchased, Two Men And A Truck will help deliver all gifts to the appropriate schools to distribute to the families. In addition to the $100 worth of gifts, each child receives a bag of household necessities.

Anyone interested in getting involved in next year’s event, including participating in one of GSYP’s annual fundraisers, can visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com/GrandStrandYoungProfessionals to learn more.

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Editor’s Note: Media wishing to cover the holiday shopping event may contact Marlane White in advance to arrange interviews between 3-6 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Walmart in Surfside Beach.

About Grand Strand Young Professionals
The Grand Strand Young Professionals, a program of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, was founded in 2008 as gsSCENE, a service-based organization for young professionals along the Grand Strand looking to network with likeminded people and give back to the community. GSYP offers monthly networking, education and community service opportunities for members between the ages of 21 to 40. For more, visit Facebook.com/GrandStrandYP.

About Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Since 1938, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) has stood as the unified voice of the Grand Strand's business community — serving Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Loris, Atlantic Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Aynor, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded MBACC its five-star accreditation — one of only a few chambers in South Carolina to earn this distinction. The Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and its destination marketing arm Visit Myrtle Beach promote tourism through various partnerships and initiatives to advance the economic success of the Grand Strand. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, MyrtleBeachAreaCVB.com and VisitMyrtleBeach.com.