By:
Brianna Botine, Director of Membership & Lodging
In 2023, Cordillera Cares began partnering with the Kendall County Sheriff’s Foundation Blue Santa program. Last year, 612 children received new Christmas toys with the assistance of the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, local businesses and individuals. Cordillera Cares was honored to provide every one of those children with a Christmas stocking filled with age-appropriate toys, thanks to the generous donations from our members and staff.
This year, we supported over 700 children! We are grateful for the overwhelming response from residents and employees who volunteered their time to help stuff stockings and distribute them at the Blue Santa event.
Our efforts began on Friday, November 8, with the Blue Santa Pickleball Toy Drive. Forty people attended, and the energy was contagious with many donning Santa hats and festive athletic attire. Everyone brought at least one toy and was excited to contribute to this mission.
On Wednesday, December 4, Cordillera Cares participated in the Ugly Sweater Gold Rush to continue spreading the word about our goals and collecting donations. Our table was filled with toys and goodies destined for the stockings, and members enjoyed seeing what they were helping to create. The Gold Rush event featured Christmas carolers and a festive photo booth, allowing everyone to get into the holiday spirit. It was a very successful evening, and a testament to the tie that binds our community together.
Our final toy donation drive was the Mimosa & Prosecco Tennis Toy Drive held on Friday, December 13. More than 20 tennis players participated, enjoying the opportunity to play for an important cause while toasting to the holidays.
We reached our goal with 718 stockings and were ready to stuff them. Our “Santa’s Workshop” was active every day, with Cordillera employees and residents working together to ensure all 700+ stockings were filled and prepared for the big day.
The Blue Santa Toy Drive took place on Saturday, December 21, and it was heartwarming to see all the support that the Kendall County Sheriff’s Foundation receives to make this event a success. As cars drove through, the road was lined with beautiful Christmas lights. Several tents offered goodies such as cookies, stockings and presents. The kids loved seeing both Santa and the Grinch as they welcomed the cars.
This has been our most significant philanthropy event of the year, and we are incredibly thankful for all the support from the Cordillera Ranch team and residents, which enables us to help our local community. For us, the joy of giving is as powerful as the joy of receiving.
For more information, contact your Cordillera Cares committee at:
Victoria DeRocher vderocher@dhinv.com
Kathi Spink kspink@cordilleraranch.com
Brianna Botine bbotine@cordilleraranch.com
Brianna Botine is the Director of Membership & Lodging at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. She can be reached at bbotine@cordilleraranch.com and 830.336.9162.
