Orange Santa began in 1994 as a program designed to foster a more caring university environment by providing help for members of the university community who have special needs during the holiday season. In December 2014, Orange Santa served 316 families, including 957 children.
The Orange Santa Holiday Store provides an opportunity for participating families to "shop" for gifts and toys for children in their immediate family. The store is stocked with items contributed through a campus-wide donation drive as well as items collected at special events.
Orange Santa is pleased to partner with the Hispanic Faculty and Staff Association (HFSA) in promoting their Holiday Assistance Program, a companion project that provides assistance with a holiday meal.
Orange Santa and the HFSA Holiday Assistance Program provide resources for UT employees and students with special needs but they also serve as opportunities for the larger university community to contribute to those needs and participate in a special season of caring.