Twelve Days of Christmas Inc.: Philanthropy at it's Finest

Gayla and Donya Gardner are the Dynamic Duo who created Twelve Days of Christamas, Inc. This amazing Non Profit Organization is an extraordinary legacy of Philanthropy ignited by its passion for making a difference in our world. We were excited to interview this mother-and-daughter power players to answer a few questions for us.

What was the inspiration for the Twelve Days of Christmas, Inc.?

Gayla: Twelve Days of Christmas, Inc. evolved from several things. Celebrating Christmas was an honored tradition in our home, having as many family members present for the holidays as possible, including the immediate family, grandparents, extended family, and friends. It is a tradition of everyone helping with cooking and sitting around the table for breakfast and dinner on Christmas Day. It was about the joy of the aroma of the food cooking, laughter, and shared stories. It was indeed a very happy and special time of family love.

We loved and extended the season by organizing "Round Robbin" experiences with friends and visiting different homes to share the spirit of the holidays with others. Additionally, we hosted a holiday party. Our party was usually a dessert party between Christmas and New Year's.

After visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, and learning how the Vanderbilts shared with the surrounding community on Christmas Day, I knew we did not have those resources but were blessed enough to share. With all that we were thankful for, we realized that many people are alone or lack resources, and the spirit of Christmas we experienced was not their reality.

While traveling in Europe with family and friends, we shared this idea of having our traditional holiday parties and asking our guests to bring a gift for someone less fortunate during Christmastime to brighten their spirits and assist them with a more enjoyable holiday. We only talked about it in October 1999. Donya and I asked friends to join in the "party with a purpose" idea. We invited friends and adopted the theme from the Christmas carol, Twelve Days of Christmas. Each party theme followed the carol; for example, the first party was a "Partridge in a Pear Tree," the second was "Two Turtle Doves," and so on. Donya opened with the first party, and I closed with the last party. We asked guests to bring specific gifts to the parties, including toys, canned goods, clothing, toiletries, books, and ornaments. The rest is history. We are going into our 24th season and have expanded to 9 communities nationwide: Houston, Oakland, DC, New York, Detroit, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Loudoun County,

Donya: Our goal in 1999 was to be a catalyst for meaningful change in the new millennium by starting a tradition of paying it forward

What are Twelve Days of Christmas Key Programs?

Gayla: Two of our most extensive programs are:

"Christmas in July" Program is a back-to-school readiness program, which we launched in our 5th year. This program provides needy children with school uniforms or clothes, shoes, socks, undergarments, toiletries, backpacks, and grade-appropriate school supplies. The purpose is to ensure that children can start school equipped with everything they need, and we always emphasize being ready for school and learning.

R.E.A.D. Read to Empower, Achieve, and Discover program was launched in 2018. This program elevates reading and book ownership, especially for 1st through 3rd grade. This program presents "read-alouds" that encourages reading and coordinates the book theme with a celebrity reader, providing interaction among students and incentives. It also provides books and challenges for reading during breaks from school, Easter break, spring break, summer break, Thanksgiving break, and Christmas break. Our target recipients are disadvantaged children who may lack resources, and this program emphasizes the importance of reading as a life foundational skill and book ownership to have and read and re-read and share with siblings, family members, and friends.

Signature Fundraiser: The Legacy Tea is a biennial that celebrates literacy's transformative power and ability to create "infinite possibilities."

Donya: Our key fundraisers include our annual holiday “Party with a Purpose” and Christmas In July “Back To School” event, where we host a day of fun for the families we serve and the children leave with new uniforms, shoes, underwear, socks, backpacks, books, school supplies, and other academic essentials to ensure a great start to the school year. 

Other fundraisers we have hosted are our “Legacy Tea” and “Chic Children For A Cause” Fashion Show.  In 2019, we started our READ (Read To Empower, Achieve, and Discover) program to promote interactive literacy in our partner schools.  We also serve senior citizens at WALLIPP and other nursing facilities and have provided emergency assistance to displaced families, refugees and victims of natural disasters.

When and How did you decide to expand 12 Days of Xmas?

Gayla: We expanded 12 days in 2001 when friends in Oakland heard about our efforts and wanted to join us to do the same in their community. DC followed when a former Houston member moved to the DC area. Chapters grew as friends connected with others in various cities,, and interest grew to expand our philanthropic efforts.

Donya: Our expansion happened quite naturally and relatively quickly -- by friends who heard what we were doing and wanted to replicate the effort in their own communities.  It truly warms my heart to reflect on how the collective effort of philanthropic women nationwide has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of families and children.

How do you like working with each other?

Gayla: I love working with my daughter. We share a legacy we hope to pass down to the next generation about sharing blessings. The two of us working together emphasizes the multi-generational opportunities and allows us to include all ages willing to serve. We even have youth who volunteer at some of our events.

Donya: It’s a joy to work alongside my mother in a rewarding and meaningful way.  Seeing an idea come to fruition to serve the greater good has been a blessing.  I couldn’t be prouder.  Now, I am passing the torch to my daughters in hopes to continue our legacy of giving for generations to come.

What are your Christmas plans for the Holiday?

Gayla: This holiday season starts with our "Harlem Renaissance Soiree, a Tribute to Excellence" fundraiser for 12 days. The funds raised support our programming award-winning for the following year. Our Honorary Co-Chairs are Renee Elise Goldsberry, Tony and Grammy award-winning artist, and her mother, Dr. Betty Sanders, a founding member of 12 Days. They both present excellence, commitment, and outstanding achievement, and we are extremely delighted they will be at this event.

Personally, I look forward to being surrounded by family this Christmas.

Donya: Our holiday plans this year include delivering the treasures of Christmas to our community families and then taking time to enjoy and make special memories with our own.