April is the Month of the Military Child, and at Santa’s Castle, that means one thing: we’re going all in to celebrate the amazing, resilient, and inspiring kids who serve right alongside their families every single day.
From moving across the country (or the world!) to making new friends and adapting to change with courage, military children are truly special and deserve to be celebrated in a BIG way.
So where can you find us this month? We’re glad you asked!
Dandelion Fest
April 19th | 2:00–5:00 PM
330 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371
We’ll be having fun, connecting with families, and sharing more about how Santa’s Castle supports our military community.
Purple Up! Celebration
Cedarcrest Middle School
April 24 | 6:00–9:00 PM
19130 13th Ave Ct E, Spanaway, WA 98387
We’re honored to be part of this special event dedicated to recognizing and uplifting military children. Don’t forget to wear purple to show your support!
JBLM MWR Kid's Fest
MWR Fest Tent
April 25 | 12:00–4:00 PM
Join us for an afternoon packed with fun, activities, and smiles as we celebrate the incredible kids in our military community.
As we celebrate the Month of the Military Child, we’re reminded that behind every strong service member is a strong family, and incredible kids who show resilience, courage, and heart in ways that inspire us every day.
At Santa’s Castle, it’s a privilege to support and celebrate these young heroes, not just during the holidays, but all year long. Thank you for being part of our community and helping us lift up military families when it matters most.
We hope to see you at one (or all!) of our events this month. Come say hello, wear your purple, and join us in showing these amazing kids just how much they mean to all of us.
Because at the end of the day, this month is all about them. They deserve nothing less than to be celebrated in a BIG way.
Every holiday season, Santa’s Castle opens its doors to bring joy, hope, and a little extra sparkle to military families right here in Washington. Here’s the secret: the magic only happens because of you.
When you donate, you’re not just giving a toy, a book, or a bike; you’re giving a child the joy of Christmas morning and the peace of knowing their family is cared for, to a parent.
Ways to Give the Gift of Joy
Monetary Donations
Simple, secure, and oh-so-powerful! Santa’s Castle accepts donations by check, cash, or you can make an online donation anytime at jblmsantascastle.org by clicking the “Give” button. Your gift goes directly toward bringing smiles and magic to military children.
Toy & Gift Donations
There’s nothing like the sparkle in a child’s eye when they unwrap a brand-new toy! We accept:
Unwrapped, new toys
Games for all ages
Bikes big and small
Books to fuel young imaginations
Coats to keep kids warm and cozy
Shop from Our Wish Lists
Want to make shopping easy and fun? Santa’s Castle has wish lists ready for you at Walmart, Target, and Amazon. Pick a gift, click, and ship; your kindness will head straight to us and into the hands of a child this Christmas. Find our wish lists on jblmsantascastle.org.
Give While You Shop!
You can support Santa’s Castle all year with just a few clicks! Link your Fred Meyer Rewards Card through Community Rewards, shop through iGive.com, or round up your change on Walmart.com. Every little bit helps bring holiday joy to military families — turning everyday purchases into smiles, toys, and cheer!
Why Your Gift Matters
Each donation, big or small, helps us create a season of joy for Service Members and their families who may be facing financial struggles. You’re not just giving gifts, you’re giving love, hope, and memories that last long after the wrapping paper is gone.
So this year, join us in spreading Christmas cheer. Be the reason a child believes in the magic of the season, and help make spirits bright at Santa’s Castle.
Together, we make the holidays happen.
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.”
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:
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.
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.
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