about us

Who we are

Christopher Ranch helps us tell our Story

At our 2021 Tree Day, our local sponsor and community champion, Christopher Ranch, produced this wonderful video below. In just a few minutes, we could tell our story and share our hopes, vision, and goals for our community. Thank you, Christopher Ranch! Enjoy the video and eat more Christopher Ranch garlic!

We exist to help make the holidays brighter
We meet our mission with the help of our sponsors
Our volunteers are also our heroes and strength!

Debbi & Mike Sanchez

CEO and FOUNDER, ONE GIVING TREE

it’s simple really. We provide christmas trees.

While it’s easy to rationalize that a Christmas tree won’t change the world, it is also easy for us to make a connection between a child’s hopes and dreams and their ability to overcome obstacles in their lives. The holiday season is a time when feelings of not fitting in, not measuring up, and loneliness run high.

Something we take for granted – something as simple as a Christmas tree, filling a home with festive sights and scents of the holidays – can make the difference between a child feeling “normal” versus feeling left out, left behind, and alone.

Many children in this circumstance suffer silently. In some cases, the lack of something as simple as a tree can be a reminder of just how tough life is. Studies show that children who grow up in poverty are less likely to do well in school, attend college, or contribute to their communities as adults.

We don’t accept that this is “just the way it is.”

We feel that something as simple as a Christmas tree, grace a home during the holidays, can make the difference between a tough childhood and a child filled with moments of joy and positive, lasting memories. If we can do that for a child, that child might have a better chance at a happy and fulfilled life.

Besides, if you realized that you had the power to change a child’s tears and feelings of loneliness into laughter and feelings of joy, wouldn’t you want to at least try? We might be nuts. However, we choose to rationalize that if we can help one child make that kind of change, then all our efforts are worth it.

Can one tree change the world? We say yes. It’s simple really. We provide Christmas trees.

Why We do it…

“She told us this was the first time she and her two high school aged daughters ever had a tree for Christmas. She was in tears.”

– One Giving Tree Volunteer

“When we showed up with a tree and all the ornaments the family could not believe it was for them. They were amazed and humbled that someone could care so much.”

– Partner Agency Volunteer

“He was a second grader living with his grandparents. He was depressed and had not been to school in weeks. He was told there would be no tree this year. Then we showed up with one. He danced around the house and played with the tree. The next day he went to school.”
-Partner Agency Case Worker

Please know what an incredible difference One Giving Tree makes for so many families. You don’t just give them trees…. you give them the gift of knowing that others care, and what a priceless gift that is!
– Partner Agency Director

“My client had already informed her little ones that she would not be able to afford a tree this year… She is so grateful for this gift, and I am grateful too, as this client and her children have been through so much. They will celebrate their holidays this year with a beautiful tree.”
– Partner Agency Case Worker

I saw her face light up! Her mother seemed so relieved. They thanked us and the donors for the opportunity to enjoy the holidays with a Christmas tree and bring a sense of normalcy into their lives during this holiday season!
– Partner Agency Case Worker

meet our team

Our leadership and board is amazing. Our volunteers are superheroes. Together we form a team that can accomplish any feat against all odds… and we usually do.

debbi Sanchez

Executive Director

“There’s nothing a little wine can’t fix.” Deb is a can-do wonder woman and our leader.

Mike Sanchez

Chief kid at heart

Mike’s an “idea guy.” You can occasionally witness him doing physical work. #rarely

Amy Tran

board member

Amy is our communications guru. You know that donor letter you received? That’s Amy. Please reply!

Melanie Mikasa

board member

Part creative thinker, part “Get ‘er done, son” Melanie is our newest board member. She’s also an elf.

Nayeli Ceja

board member

Wanna catch Nayeli? Start running. This girl is on fi-ya. Community Champion, leader, and mentor.

Toni Diaz

board member

Toni is the the utility player, the “gimme the ball coach!” MVP. She also keeps Mike out of trouble.

our volunteers

We have the best volunteers!

How in the world can we do what we do? It is only possible thanks to our amazing, incredibly hard-working volunteers. Year after year, they show up, step up, and help us make the holidays brighter for local kids and their families. We can’t do it without our team! Our volunteers are the best in the business!