Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do you receive family referrals? 

Our referrals come from school staff and community agencies that work directly with families throughout Ypsilanti, both in schools and in their homes. 

I want to sign up to “support a family,” what does this mean?

We provide gifts for the entire household, parents and older children included. 

We encourage gift donors to work in teams:

• Either one they assemble on their own or one that you join in support of a family through the signup genius form.  

• To help make families holiday wishes be fulfilled, we provide more sign up slots than there are members of the household.

What is the wish list: The wish list we complete with the family. 

There is a large range of items on the wish list because our gift donors in the past have requested that we present more options for them due to some difficulty in getting certain items during the holiday season. Teams are not expected to fulfill the entire wish list, but to use it as a basis for gift buying.

I am signed up as part of a “team” supporting a family, what happens next?

Once you are signed up you will receive our Welcome Letter and the family wish list from your Volunteer Team Lead. 

This list is a shared google document that has the family wish list and contact information for your entire team. Each member is assigned a color that will allow everyone to clearly see who is buying what items for your family. The document is interactive so the whole team can leave messages in the chat and will be able to freely communicate with each other. Your Team Lead is there to provide assistance and answer any questions the team may have.

Once I buy my gifts, where do I drop them off?

The Michigan Firehouse Museum on Saturdays and Sundays through the month of December. We do ask that you inform your Team Lead as to when you plan on dropping off.

We have special designated drop-off days on the following dates:

When: Saturdays/Sundays 

Time: 12-3:00p 

Dates: 12/2 - 12/17

Where: Michigan Firehouse Museum - 110 W. Cross, Ypsilanti 48197

• We encourage all of you wonderful people to visit the museum and lend your support to them as well

  • Tickets are: $10 for 12+ yrs, $5 for 5-11yrs, & free for under 5yrs

  • Free street parking is available nearby 

  • The museum is WONDERFUL!

• We will have volunteers out front of the building

*If you are unable to come on those dates, please inform your team lead and alternate arrangements can be made.

*If you prefer to order your gifts and have them sent, please inform your team lead for the mailing address.

Should I wrap my gift?

Short answer, NO THANKS! 

We have wrapping shifts available at the museum during our drop-off days. We try to wrap families in the same two/three wrapping paper so we can assure that all the gifts stay together for each family. We are currently and gratefully accepting wrapping paper donations!

What is the role of the “ELF?”

Our Elves wrap all of the gifts for the families. We have several shifts available and you can sign up through our volunteer page. Supplies will be provided.

What is the role of the “Reindeer?”

Reindeers are carefully vetted volunteers that are available on Christmas Eve to deliver to our families. They are required to attend meetings beforehand with the Delivery Team Lead to assure that they are aware of the responsibilities. To protect the safety of our families, contact information for our families are not exchanged electronically and Reindeers receive only addresses on the night of delivery.

Can I donate money directly to this effort?

We accept Venmo and PayPal.

100% of these funds are used directly towards family needs: 

• Each family’s gifts are delivered in large, plastic storage tubs with tote bags for all additional presents. 

• Each family will receive a laundry basket with cleaning supplies, paper towel, toilet paper and personal care products available.

• “Family stockings” are created and filled with gifts from locally owned  Ypsilanti businesses that we want to be sure to support.

• Christmas dinner and breakfast foods are provided.

• Any remaining funds are used towards helping each team to fulfill any remaining items from the family wish list.

We hope this answers any questions you may have. If you think of anything additional that isn’t included here, please be sure to contact us directly at:

secretsantasocietyypsi@gmail.com

Thank you for taking the time to read this, we appreciate your support!