For many of us, the holidays are filled with joyful memories, family traditions, and a sense of magic. But for some families, this time of year can be challenging, often filled with reminders of what may be missing. It was a story from years ago that ignited the Holiday Cheer program at BOLD Foundation, a program that purchases numerous toys and books for underserved children in Chatham County. The story was told by an employee to Chris Ehrenfeld, CEO of BOLD Companies.
The employee recounted a Christmas he would never forget, one that took place when he was around the age of Chris’s sons at the time. As a young boy raised by a disabled single parent, he had been hopeful that a year of hard work at school and helping around the house might bring him a “special” holiday. On Christmas morning, he ran down to see his Dad and bolted to the tree with eager anticipation, only to find a single gift–a Hershey bar with a little red bow on it.
Confused and heartbroken, he turned to his Dad and asked, “Why?” His question led to a difficult but honest conversation with his Dad about their financial struggles and the realities of their Christmas traditions. No child should carry that kind of disappointment with them forever. The holidays should be a time of joy for everyone.
The day after hearing this story, Chris received an email from a nonprofit stating that the local elementary school was wrapping up their annual holiday gift drive and they were looking for last minute donors. Chris immediately called to inquire about the program. He discovered that the school had found sponsors for gifts for 27 children but 87 children would wake up on Christmas morning with nothing, not even a chocolate bar.
Inspired by the story and the urgent need, Chris and the BOLD team decided to step up and cover every single child on that list. It wasn’t an easy feat—coordinating gifts for nearly a hundred children in such a short time required everyone to pitch in. Yet, through teamwork, compassion, and determination, they made it happen. That first year of Holiday Cheer may have been a logistical whirlwind, but it marked the beginning of what would become a beloved tradition and inspired the formation of the BOLD Foundation.
Now in its ninth year, the Holiday Cheer program has touched the lives of countless children and families. Thanks to volunteers, community partnerships, local business support, and contributions from BOLD Real Estate and BOLD Construction, the Holiday Cheer program has been able to serve more children each year. Last year, the program reached more than 240 children across Chatham County, bringing gifts, warmth, and a sense of belonging to families who need it most.
Each holiday season, BOLD Foundation is reminded of the impact of the Holiday Cheer program through the joy in children’s smiles and the gratitude shared by families across the community. The Foundation is honored to play a part in creating positive holiday memories for children who might otherwise feel overlooked during this special time of year.