Events

Photos from the BIG DAY! Our deliveries to the Children's Hospital.

Photos from our shopping adventures and Santa Bill's "workshop" filling up.

Photos from our Christmas Spectacular and Spoon River Drive.

Photos and Live Streams from Live and Loud with Lindsay Christmas Performances and Toy Drives

Watch past news interviews.

View past newspaper articles.

Dear Santa Bill:

I want to start by telling you thank you for giving my son, Josh Pilger, and I a Christmas in 2011.

For 17 years my son was the picture of health.  When he got sick in September, I took him to the doctor who told me it was a virus.  When it got considerably worse, we went to the emergency room. There we learned it was cancer.

You and your elves showed up on one of the days when Josh was in and out of consciousness. He had finished the second round of chemotherapy.  I told Josh that Santa was here and he opened his eyes.

You presented him with a signed football and a jersey from the Chicago Bears (his absolute favorite team).  His eyes lit up like I've never seen before.  One day later, on Christmas Eve, we found out that the cancer had won and he was going to lose his battle with this disease.

On December 29, 2011 Josh died. Unfortunately, Christmas Day for our family was not celebrated.  Because of what you do for the kids of St. Jude, Josh had the best present he could have ever imagined. You made my son's last Christmas come a few days early and one that I will never forget and will always be treasured. 

Thank you Santa Bill with all my heart and love!

Sincerely,

Cindy Scoon

Josh Pilger's MOM

Our family will never forget his visit after our daughter's surgery just before Christmas in 2018.  Thank you for bringing smiles and joy to so many families. 

- Brea Cinnamon

When Bryant was just two years old, he spent the days leading up to Christmas sick in the hospital. No one wants to be in the hospital, but around the holidays, it's extra hard. 

I vividly recall the morning of this photo, filled with Bryant's cries as doctors and nurses came in. Then, we received a special surprise - Santa Claus himself walked in to deliver a gift! Bryant's face lit up with a smile, and it was the first time he'd been happy to see a visitor in days. It made our day so much better and was a truly special visit.  

- Michelle Kosner