Our Story
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.
Our mission is simple: every child deserves a childhood.
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.
In fiscal year 2021/2022, we served 10,689 at-risk children. Our programs help at-risk youth by providing emergency shelter care, give a happy holiday season to children and youth, and serve teens transitioning out of foster care. We are constantly striving to help more kids and look to the community, businesses, and foundations for their ongoing support.
Staff
Celeste Edmunds
Executive Director
celeste@thechristmasbox.org
Kristin Jensen
Programs Manager
kristin@thechristmasbox.org
Tammy Corrigan
Events & Communications Manager
tammy@thechristmasbox.org
Julia Jensen
Office & Database Administrator
admin@thechristmasbox.org
Patrice Couch
St George Resource Coordinator (volunteer)
StGeorgeResource@thechristmasbox.org
Board of Directors
Richard Paul Evans
Co-founder, Chairman, & President
New York Times Best-selling Author
Keri Evans
Co-founder & Small Business Owner
Douglas R. Short
Secretary, Executive Vice President, Vice-Chair of Executive Committee, & Chair of Program Planning Committee
Lynn Taylor
Chair of Finance & Audit Committee & Member of Executive Committee
Diane Glad
Chair of Public Relations Committee & Member of Executive Committee
Alan Smith
Chair of Fundraising Committee & Real Estate Agent, Holmes Homes
Kearston Cutrubus
Director, Cutrubus Motors, Inc. & Business Owner
Rich Post
Entrepreneur & Owner, Post Insurance Group