G Philly Readers Save the Holidays for 250+ LGBTQ Homeless Youth

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Yes, Philadelphia, there is a Santa Claus, and it happens to be G Philly readers.

When Valley Youth House reached out to us about their annual holiday Secret Santa drive to support homeless LGBTQ youth, less than 20% of their 250 young folks had been sponsored.

However, that all changed when we ran a piece on the drive this past Monday afternoon. We were informed that within a half hour of the publication, an additional 6 youth were sponsored. By Monday evening, 30 more had been sponsored.

By the end of the day yesterday, we were informed that all 250 youth had been sponsored by donors who saw the G Philly article. Not only had Valley Youth House hit their goal, but they had over 285 youth requested.

A holiday miracle, indeed, thanks to you!

One reader and sponsor, who wished to remain anonymous, wrote to me to say how “easy” the process was. Her youth simply wanted a North Face jacket…and Tupperware.

“I could die,” she jokingly said of the Tupperware request. “We sponsor a family or a child every year, and I am happy for it to be one of these kids!”

Of course, even though the holiday drive goals have been met, it’s surely not too late to help out Valley Youth House: They are always seeking sponsors and supporters. You can find out more about them via their website.

We just wanted to send a true “thanks” to our readers for helping out local LGBTQ youth who needed it the most. It’s the kind of holiday teamwork that makes the season a little more magical.