It’s the 19th year of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital's annual "Thanks and Giving" holiday campaign, and, as usual, it’s filled with big brands and celebrity names such as Sofia Vergara, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Luis Fonsi and Michael Strahan helping the hospital raise money though online and in-store donations.
This year’s event adds a new touch with the Winter Wonderland Virtual Store, an immersive experience allowing users to shop the St. Jude winter collection, play games to unlock exclusive deals and learn more about the hospital's mission.
Live streams and social promotion of the virtual store experience will feature social influencers such as Jessica Clarke Higgins, wife of "Bachelor" star Ben Higgins.
For brick-and-mortar donations (as well as online), big brands such as Best Buy, Domino’s, HomeGoods, Signet Jewelers, AutoZone, Williams Sonoma, Chili’s, Joann, Claire’s, Melting Pot and, this year, Fannie May Gourmet Chocolate offer shoppers limited-edition holiday products in support of St. Jude as well as the choice of adding a donation at checkout.
“Each year we are overjoyed to see firsthand the power of togetherness that St. Jude brings,” said Ray Sliva, Best Buy’s chief people officer, in a press release. “With the help of our generous customers and employees, our efforts allow St. Jude to focus on what matters most: saving children regardless of their financial situation. We are honored to play a role in such an inspirational and life-changing campaign.”
St. Jude was founded over 70 years ago by entertainer Danny Thomas and continues to draw on support from celebrities, including Thomas’ own children, as the hospital proceeds with its mission to “advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.”
“Together, with the support of these loving and generous stars and so many supporters around the world, the children and families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will be able to spend this holiday season knowing how much they are cared for,” said Marlo Thomas, St. Jude national outreach director, in a press release.
“The children hold a very special place in my heart, just as they did with my father. I see such courage and strength and an unbelievable capacity for joy in the face of such adversity. And when you give during the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign, you're offering kindness and compassion that will add to holiday memories for them for years to come.”