History

Santa’s Helper has been a tradition in Winston-Salem for over three decades.

Our Origins

In 1986, Wake Forest University fullback Chip Rives read in Parade Magazine about the Elf Louise program in San Antonio. Chip decided to start something similar in his “adopted hometown” of Winston-Salem, hoping to create a program that would outlast him, and partnered with Robert Egleston to help make his vision a reality. Together, the two fundraised $3,500, used it to purchase toys, and wrapped all of the gifts themselves in Robert’s garage. Chip then dressed up in a Santa Claus costume, loaded the toys into his Volkswagen bus, and delivered them personally to 45 local families.

What started out with two men, a garage, and a Volkswagen bus is now an annual tradition using a loaned 10,000 square feet warehouse and a fleet of SUVs & vans to take Santas and elves representing every Deacon sport all over the county delivering presents and books to deserving families.