How to Donate or Support Caritas Family Solutions

Caritas Family Solutions accepts support through three main channels listed on its website: ongoing donations, the Secret Santa holiday gift program for children in foster care, and the Shine Your Light Gala fundraising event. Which one fits you depends on whether you want to give money year-round, buy gifts for a specific child, or attend an in-person event. Each has its own entry point and, for the gala, a registration deadline.

Ongoing donations

The site's "Each Day We Help" section is the general giving option. It describes donations as gifts that "continue helping us make a positive impact in our communities," and states that any amount, large or small, makes a difference. Use this if you want unrestricted support for the organization's day-to-day work rather than a specific program or season.

The page provides a "Donate Now" link as the action step. The website content does not list payment methods, suggested amounts, or whether a one-time versus recurring option exists, so check the donation form itself for those details.

Secret Santa (holiday gifts for children in foster care)

Secret Santa is the seasonal program. According to the site, Caritas relies on donors each year to "help make dreams come true for more than 1,700 children in our care," specifically so children in foster care can have a joyful Christmas.

• Who it's for: donors who prefer to fund or fulfill holiday gifts rather than give general funds.
• Scale: over 1,700 children in Caritas's care.
• Action: the page offers a "Donate Now!" link for this program.

If you want your support tied to a visible, time-bound outcome, this is the most specific option. Note that it is seasonal — the page presents it as an annual Christmas effort, so timing matters.

Shine Your Light Gala

The gala is the in-person fundraising event. The site describes it as celebrating "a legacy of light and a future of hope" for HSS, Caritas, and the individuals and families they serve.

Key logistics from the page:

The registration deadline (May 22nd) falls before the event date, so if you plan to attend, register early rather than assuming you can buy at the door. The page does not list ticket prices or seating options — those would appear in the registration flow.

Context: the HSS merger

Starting October 1, 2025, Human Support Services (HSS) of Monroe County, IL merged with Caritas under the Caritas name. The site states that neither organization anticipates major changes to staffing or services, and that the goal is to maintain the same level of care. For donors, this means your support now covers a combined service area in Southern Illinois, including children, families, and adults with developmental disabilities or mental health needs. The page links to FAQs, a press release, and a question submission form if you want details before giving.

Choosing between the three

• Want the simplest, most flexible option? Use the general "Each Day We Help" donation.
• Want to help children in foster care specifically, during the holidays? Use Secret Santa.
• Want an event experience and to give at a higher-profile occasion? Register for the Shine Your Light Gala before May 22nd.

All three routes start from the same website, and each has its own labeled link. The site does not publish pricing, payment platforms, or tax-deduction language in the content reviewed here, so confirm those directly on the donation or registration form before completing a gift.