Christmas in July expands into a series of fundraisers to benefit Substitute for Santa Charity event

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — All month long, it’s Christmas in July, a monthlong fundraising event held by the Grand Strand Young Professionals.

Various local businesses are joining in the spirit of giving months before the holidays in a series of fundraisers across the Grand Strand. It’s all to raise money for the Substitute for Santa charity.

One hundred and fifty Horry County Schools Elementary students will get a Christmas shopping spree and experience this holiday season, said Marlane White, director of communications for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

“This is one of the events where the children are there you see their smiling faces, you see how happy it makes them, and it just gives you goosebumps to give back to someone who might need a little extra support during the season,” White said.

This year, the Substitute for Santa charity event is on Dec. 3, which is also Giving Tuesday. It typically takes about 100 volunteers to make the project possible, White said.

“If you have the opportunity to volunteer for that event, it’s the most heartwarming experience you will have,” she said.

Warming up to the big day, The Grand Strand Young Professionals are hosting Christmas in July. This is the first time doing four events during the month.

So far, there have been two events, and White said both have been excellent turnouts.

“We are trying to raise as much money as we can because the more money we raise the more money we can spend on the kids,” White said.

The next fundraiser is on July 21-28 at Wonder Works in Myrtle Beach. It’s a “buy now, use later” promo.

“You buy it during this time period, and you can use it any time throughout the year, and it only costs $15 dollars, and we also have a special promo code,” White said.

The final fundraiser for the month is on July 24 at the Burger Fi restaurant on Sayebrook Parkway. The business will donate 20% of orders purchased between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

“Each year, we try to do something a little bit different to get the support from the community that we need to support these children during the Christmas season,” White said.

In addition to the shopping spree, the students are also given toiletries to take home. If you want to help donate to the cause or volunteer for the event, ad to learn more click here.

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Adriana Cotero is News13’s weekend evening anchor and a morning reporter. She joined the team in July 2023 after working in the island of Guam. Adriana is from Saline, Michigan, and graduated from Central Michigan University. Follow Adriana on Facebook , X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram and read more of her work here .

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