Wagons Ho Ho Ho

I signed up for "build day several years ago, expecting a grueling day on a cold, hard, gymnasium floor. I could not have been more wrong. The excitement of the volunteers, the urgency to get the wagons built, filled with food, and onto the trucks to their committed destinations was a lot to comprehend! Meanwhile, there was also constant excitement during "shift" changes and "dance parties" to bring excitement into the room. What an inspiring event! What I think is the best part of this annual event is seeing the wagons being picked up and delivered to unsuspecting kids who otherwise might not have known the spirit of giving. Every year this event grows. This year, sign up was full within a few short hours. Even the volunteers compete to get in for build day. Amazing!!

I absolutely LOVE this non-profit. You can feel the heart behind each event, and every volunteer has a distinct (and important) role. The impact is massive, across the whole community and genuinely benefits the recipients of each wagon filled with food, as well as the volunteers who come together on ONE day to build 1,500 wagons. Wagons Ho Ho Ho is an outlet for the community service and love we all have a deep, deep need for.

A great charity that supports the local Columbus community and children in a big way!

I know I'm partial because the originator of this charity is my daughter & son-in-law. But having said that I would still rate it a 5. I worked on the first 25 wagons, but wasn't able to be there much after that. Last year I joined them and when I walked into that gym and saw all of those tables w/boxes of wagons, I was in awe! Then to watch the 600+ volunteers, so happy to be there (some it was their 6th year!) was amazing. I know how hard they work each year to make it a success. Plus 100% of monies is put into the charity - non for wages, etc. The mood the day of assembling the wagons us addicting. Can hardly wait to help again this year!

This is an outstanding organization that works hard year round to make sure families are taken care of for the holidays.

There's nothing quite as fulfilling as Wagon Build day! To experience the incredible amount of volunteers building hundreds and hundreds of wagons each shift, to all the bagging of groceries, and the heartfelt smiles of those that arrive to pickup the wagons... it's an amazing feeling to be in a place where so much joy and gratitude is expressed.

I'm so excited to be apart of the action this year. What a great idea to support people in need. Great environment, great people, great fundraiser!

I've been volunteering with Wagons Ho Ho Ho for three years and every year it's so rewarding to participate in build day and feel the gratitude from the recipient families. The team works so hard to ensure that as many children have a Christmas dinner/wagon as possible.

Wagons Ho Ho Ho is a Columbus, Ohio based charity founded by my sister, Sue Reninger and her husband, Donn Ditzhazy, both originally from Trenton, MI and in Columbus OH for 20+ years. Sue and Donn, along with their dedicated family and staff from RMD Advertising have taken this charity from 25 wagons in their first year to 1,500 this year! Each wagon is built on build day, loaded with groceries for Christmas Dinner for a family of 4, and picked up by Churches, Community Groups, etc. serving the greater Columbus area, and delivered to families in need (which are scouted and selected by Sue and Donn, and the RMD family throughout the year).

Each year, the Ditzhazy's create such an amazing, giving environment, and the word has spread so strongly that they have had to turn volunteers away, despite expanding to 3 shifts and larger venues!! They bring in beverages, meals & snacks ALL DAY, and have a DJ and Santa for the duration (12 hours) to keep the busy volunteers motivated! Dance breaks are a regular event, giving everyone a chance to dance, laugh, and enjoy the wonderful work they're doing! Food and beverages are donated by local shops, and are available all day for the tired, hungry but happy workers. It's all quite amazing, I've never really seen or felt anything like it!

Last year I worked all 3 shifts loading groceries into bags and bags into wagons for the volunteers to wheel out to waiting recipients. It was exhausting, but MORE exhilerating because of the energy created in that room. It's really an extremely joyful, rewarding experience!

Wagons Ho Ho HO is an amazing charity! Build day is an awesome experience and helps so many children! Thank you!

I just began working with Wagons Ho Ho Ho and from what I've seen so far, they are a very passionate and hardworking group. They give out Christmas dinners to families in need and a wagon for a child. The leaders want to keep this organization growing and provide even more, so everyone can have a great Christmas. What could be better? Thank you for all you do!

Build Day is so busy, but such a fun time. You feel like you're actually helping the Ohio community when you're hands-on, building a wagon for a child from scratch. It's so special and sweet that each wagon is filled with a Christmas dinner, too! I'll help out every single year!!

I'm not only in love with the mission of Wagon's Ho Ho Ho, but the way they bring their vision to pass, by their exclusionary practices on build day. In a room filled with 300 people you will find someone from every walk of life. The wealthy and the middle class standing side by side, Religious and non religious people united in purpose, gay and straight focused on their desires to love and care for children, all of whom believer that "Every Child deserves a Christmas".

The other think I love is that 100% every dollar we give goes right towards helping families.

We have been doing this for a couple of years now and it's always a great time! Not only is it a fun, uplifting experience you can do with the whole family, it's also great knowing that you are helping out families in need, especially during the holidays! I would ask anyone to donate a few hours of their time, I promise you that once you go, you will be back!!! It's a great program all around!!!

I've been to 2-3 Build Days during the 10 years Wagons Ho Ho Ho has been running, and have helped out in volunteering to gain donations from the public. It's amazing how far they've come. From year one, to their latest event, it's humbling to see just how many families they're helping each year. It's also amazing to see how much the community will line up to support in providing monetary or food donations such as coffee, water, bagels, great pizza, and other goodies for volunteers during the event AND there was a DJ! The energy is always amazing! Will definitely be involved every single year! I love wagons ho ho ho!!