Santa's Helping Hands

Every Child Deserves A Visit From Santa

Thank you for visiting our website! Whether you've supported us for years or recently joined our community through our children's schools, activities, or work, we're excited to share what Santa's Helping Hands means to our family. Each holiday season, Mikey and I, with the help of our friends, family, and community, raise money to help children, single mothers, and families in need. We're so grateful for the generosity that makes it all possible.

Last year alone, we raised just under $23,000, bringing our total to more than $170,000 over the past 12 years! We're incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together, and we're reminded every year of just how much a community can do when people come together for a good cause.

As we begin our 13th year, we're asking for your help once again. Every donation, no matter the amount, helps us bring joy, gifts, and a little extra holiday magic to children and families who might otherwise go without.

We invite you to scroll down to learn how it all began, see some of the organizations we've worked with, and learn more about the impact your generosity has made over the years.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Whether you've donated every year or are just learning about Santa's Helping Hands, we're so grateful to have you here.

With lots of love and gratitude,

The Bottari Family ❤️

If you'd like to contribute, you can donate

directly through this website or use any of the options below:

Venmo: @Kelsey-Bottari

Zelle: kelsey.bottari@gmail.com

Mail a check: 3 Mona Lane, Dix Hills, NY 11746

Please include a note indicating that your donation is for the Santas Helping Hands.

We believe it's important for everyone to know how their generosity makes a difference. At the end of the holiday season, we'll send an email to everyone who donated, sharing where the funds went and how they were used to help children and families.

Thank you for trusting us to put your donations to good use!

Over the years, we've worked with a number of wonderful organizations, including:

FCA-Family & Children's Association
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island
Friends of Karen (serves families with children who have been diagnoses with and actively receiving treatment for cancer or another life threatening illness)
Blanca's House
Bethany House (woman and children's homeless shelter)
Suffolk County Coalition for Domestic Violence
Stonybrook Hospital NICU
Senterra Hospital NICU
Child Advocacy Center which is a social services organization in Central Islip
Each year we help out a number of individual families or children that many of you have sent us. Please keep that in mind; if you know an individual, a family or an organization that could use a little extra help this holiday season, please let us know!

Our Story:

How It All Began:

More than 15 years ago, before Mikey and I were married, we lived in an apartment in Oyster Bay. We heard a story about someone who had paid off the layaway balances for families at a local Walmart. We thought it was such a beautiful gesture, and it inspired us to find ways to give back ourselves.

That holiday season, we donated to several charities. The following year, when some of those charities reached out to ask for help again, we had an idea: What if we invited our friends and family to join us so we could make an even bigger impact together?

And that's how it began! Each year, our fundraiser grew as we connected with more friends, family, coworkers, and community members. We've expanded our efforts to help charities, shelters, and individual families who need a little extra support during the holidays.

Today, we've been married for more than 14 years, have four kids, two dogs, and a cat—and we're still going strong!

Our children have become a special part of the tradition, too. Every December, our garage, basement, and living room fill with boxes of toys, clothes, and gifts. They help us sort everything and choose presents for other children.

A few years ago, we started taking the kids shopping and giving each of them money to pick out toys for children their own age. It's a simple tradition, but it teaches them that Christmas isn't just about what we receive—it's also about what we can give to others.

We created this website to share our story, make it easier to get involved, and show the impact we've made together.

What started as a small idea between two people has grown into a tradition that has raised more than $150,000 to help children and families. We couldn't do it without the kindness and generosity of our community.

Thank you for being part of Santa's Helping Hands and helping us spread a little more love and Christmas magic each year.

With love and gratitude,

The Bottari Family ❤️🎄