Volunteers Needed as ‘Substitutes for Santa’ on December 2

150 Local Children to Receive Holiday Experience at Fun Warehouse, Shopping at Walmart

PICTURED: Substitutes for Santa volunteers, including Splash from the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, shop for local children at Walmart in Surfside Beach, S.C., during the annual event. CREDIT: GSYP

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—Volunteers interested in providing a holiday experience for local children on Dec. 2, 2025, are encouraged to register for Substitutes for Santa, an annual charity event hosted by Grand Strand Young Professionals (GSYP) in partnership with SOS Care.

During the special event, 150 Horry County children will enjoy an afternoon of fun and games at the Fun Warehouse, followed by a shopping excursion at Walmart in Surfside Beach. Volunteers will help each child pick out $100 worth of gifts and provide them with essential household items.

“For this one-of-a-kind holiday tradition, our incredible volunteers step into Santa’s boots to ensure these special children experience the joy of the season. Thanks to the generous sponsors and fundraiser supporters, we’re able to make a meaningful impact in their lives,” said Cindy Gettig, Executive Vice President of Business Development for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

GSYP collaborates with Horry County Schools to identify elementary-aged students who would benefit from the program. After the gifts are purchased, Two Men and A Truck assist with delivering them to schools, where they are distributed to families.

Community members interested in volunteering can visit GrandStrandYoungProfessionals.com to register and complete the required background check form.

The presenting sponsors for this year’s Substitutes for Santa event are Benjamin Franklin, Capital Waste Services, Grand Strand Health, Grand Strand Optimist Club, and Pure Green Land Group.

Additional sponsors include Auntie Annes, Big Air Trampoline Park, Black Dog Running, Buffalo Wild Wings, Carolina Home Exteriors, Carolina Limousine and Coach, Coastal Outdoor Advertising, Corning Credit Union, Crooked Hammock, First Reliance Bank, Food Lion, Fun Warehouse, Fully Promoted, Garden City Realty, Grand Anchor Insurance, Grand Palms Resort, Handley’s Pub and Grub, Happy Teeth Dental, House of Blues, Infoquest HR, Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach, Lanes Pest Control, The Landing at Grande Dunes, Meher Spiritual Center, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Myrtle Beach Wedding Officiant, Native Sons, Pizza Hut, Rustic Roast, Santee Cooper, Sexton Dental, Two Men and A Truck, United Bank, Walmart, and Wonderworks.