TULSA, Okla. – In North Tulsa, traditions built by Black families have always doubled as acts of love and resistance. This holiday season, one of those traditions continues as the Tulsa Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, prepares to host its 2nd Annual Cocoa with Santa celebration, a free community event that mixes holiday joy with hands-on service for neighbors in need.
Scheduled for November 29, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Crossover Community Center, the family-focused gathering has already surpassed 200 registrations and secured support from more than a dozen sponsors. Organizers say the excitement speaks not only to the event itself, but to Tulsa’s ongoing commitment to lifting one another up during the holidays.
Cocoa with Santa features a model of service rooted in Jack and Jill’s 87-year legacy of empowering Black children through leadership, cultural awareness and community building. Youth and adults will work side by side to assemble 250 hygiene and food “Go Bags” for unhoused Tulsans. Toy donations collected at the event will support children served by the Tulsa Dream Center.
“This event is not just about giving back. It is about creating a ripple effect and being the change we want to see,” said Janice Connolly, Cocoa With Santa Chair. “We are modeling something powerful for our children. We serve, we work and we have fun while building the community we want to live in.”
Family fun meets meaningful service
Cocoa with Santa offers an uplifting morning of activities that are completely free for attendees. Highlights include:
- Interactive Santa Workshop Stations including storytime, ornament making, DIY hot chocolate capsules and themed crafts
- A Signature Hot Chocolate Bar and Dessert Bar sponsored by Humana Healthy Horizons in Oklahoma
- Free portraits with Santa B. Klaus, who will meet individually with each child
- A Selfie Station with Santa supported by volunteer “selfie elves”
- Prize giveaways donated by Tulsa families and businesses
- A festive holiday soundtrack curated by DJ J. Soule of Tulsa
Continuing a legacy of care
Organizers say the event is as much about community impact as it is about celebration. Last year, nearly 200 participants raised close to $1,000 for charitable causes, delivered 175 Go-Bags to individuals experiencing homelessness and donated 65 unwrapped toys to Tulsa children.
With registrations already exceeding last year’s turnout, organizers expect to provide even more support in 2025.
“Sponsorships and in-kind donations bridge funding gaps and allow JJOA Tulsa to not only support charities but also actively engage with our community,” Connolly said. “This involvement sets a powerful example for our children. It shows them how to be the change we wish to see.”
Sponsors making the holiday magic possible
This year’s event is supported by local families and corporate partners including:
Humana Healthy Horizons in Oklahoma, Reasor’s, Sam’s Club, Costco, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Ribbons on Peoria, Margo’s, Lewis Park Family Dentistry, The Pin Man and Crumbl Cookies.
Their contributions support the Go-Bag assembly line, the toy drive and the complimentary refreshments available to attending families.
Event Details
| What | Cocoa with Santa Toy and Food Drive |
|---|---|
| When | November 29, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Where | Crossover Community Center, 1010 E. 36th Street, Tulsa, OK 74106 |
| Cost | Free for families and the Tulsa community |
Families are encouraged to register early, donate new unwrapped toys if able and arrive ready to enjoy a morning where fun and compassion go hand in hand.
The heart of the event is simple and powerful. In Connolly’s words: “Serve. Work. Have fun. Create change.”