Once upon a time—okay, fine, it was 1994—in a cozy corner of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, two extraordinary women turned a humble dream into a holiday miracle.

Meet Diane Gravatt and Janet Gibson, military spouses with hearts three sizes too big and an uncanny ability to spot both a problem and its perfect solution. They weren’t looking for fame or accolades. They were just looking around their Army community and noticing something heartbreaking: young Service Members, dedicated, and self-sacrificing, were quietly struggling to afford Christmas gifts for their children.

Rather than sighing and moving on, Diane and Janet rolled up their sleeves and said, “Let’s fix this.”

From Scratched Bikes to Sparkling Dreams

But they didn’t have brand-new toys or big corporate sponsors. What they did have was determination, creativity, and a knack for TLC—Toy Loving Care.

Their early headquarters? Not exactly a castle, but a small room filled with second-hand treasures that had seen better days. Worn-out teddy bears, tired tricycles, and books with scribbles in the margins—most folks saw junk. Diane and Janet saw potential.

With the energy of Christmas elves and the precision of drill sergeants, they went to work:

• Bikes were scrubbed and reassembled like mini-Harleys.
• Dolls had their hair washed and styled, their tiny dresses laundered and ironed with motherly devotion.
• Books had every pencil mark gently erased, restoring stories to their original magic.

And Thus, a Castle Was Born

They called it Santa’s Castle—not because it was fancy (not yet), but because it was magical. That first year, a handful of families walked away with gifts, dignity intact, and the sparkle of Christmas in their eyes.

Word spread like wildfire in a pine forest. Donations began trickling in. Volunteers—many of them fellow military spouses, soldiers, and even retirees—joined the cause. What started as a side project became a full-fledged mission.

Year after year, Santa’s Castle grew bigger, brighter, and bolder. And through it all, the mission never changed: help young Military Families give their kids a joyful holiday season, no matter what’s in the bank account.

A Legacy That Marches On

Today, Santa’s Castle stands as one of the most beloved traditions at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. What Diane Gravatt and Janet Gibson built—armed with kindness, elbow grease, and a whole lot of heart—has helped thousands of Military Families over the decades.

Though their tools may have started with a doll brush and a bottle of Goo-Gone, thanks to the generous donors—30 years later—the toys are all new. The impact of their work echoes in every child’s laugh on Christmas morning, in every relieved smile from a young soldier who got to play Santa for their kids.

Because sometimes, the best castles aren’t made of stone and towers—they’re built from hope, love, and a few well-scrubbed teddy bears.

Want to help keep the magic alive? Santa’s Castle still relies on community support, donations, and volunteers. After all, everyone deserves a little holiday magic—especially those who serve.

If you want to learn how to help, please fill out the form below and let our Admin Team know.