The Christmas Box International

The Christmas Box International works to prevent child abuse and defend children through a culture of universal diversity, inclusion, and love. We partner with local, national, and international groups to improve the quality of life for children, teens, and young adults who are victims of abuse, neglect, trafficking, or are facing homelessness. In 1996, founder and New York Times best-selling author Richard Paul Evans created a safe place for Utah’s children — a Christmas Box House — naming the charity after his first novel, The Christmas Box. What began as a single refuge has grown into a statewide network of emergency shelters, resource rooms, and youth programs dedicated to restoring hope and dignity. Today, The Christmas Box International serves 14,000 children and young adults every year. From offering immediate shelter and comfort to children escaping abuse, to providing essentials through our Resource Rooms, to empowering teens transitioning out of foster care, our work ensures that every young person we serve feels seen, valued, and loved. Through programs like Project Elf, we make the holidays brighter for children who might otherwise go without. Each gift and warm item serves as a reminder that their community believes in them and that they are not forgotten. Our mission continues because of generous community members, businesses, and foundations who share our belief that every child deserves a childhood. Together, we’re defending children 365 days a year — and changing the story for generations to come.