Play-it-Forward
2025
The third annual — the largest field yet, with twenty-two charities supported by family and friends.
The Winners
Top of the leaderboard.
Second Place
Carolina Clashmas
The Grunow Family — Carolina edition.
- Devorah Grunow
- Brian Grunow
- Noah Grunow
- Dreyanah Grunow
Granted to
Raleigh Dream Center$12,500
Third Place — Tied
Jingle Jammers
- Jenna Gilbert
- Chris Gilbert
- Dan Goulette
- Debbie Davies
- Kathy Leahy
- Robert Goulette
Granted to
Action Against Hunger USA$10,000
Third Place — Tied
So Cal Christmas
- Bill Deering
- Kathy Deering
- Emily Deering
Granted to
Mitchell Thorp Foundation$10,000
Honorable Mentions
Just behind the leaderboard.
Merry Mayhem
EPIC House Church (Sherwood, OR)$5,000
The Santa Cruzers
WomenCare$5,000
Meneses Morgan Family
Malaria Consortium$5,000
Gettin’ Down with the Chromies
Gigi's Playhouse$5,000
Also Participating
Every team, every charity.
A grant was directed to the chosen charity of every participating team.
- Amy Atwood & FamilyEmilio Nares Foundation$3,000
- Just Married & Very MerryPalestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF)$3,000
- Winchell Crew from Temecula$3,000
- A Joyful Noise for JusticeImmigration Counseling Service$3,000
- Twas the Fourth Night After ChristmasEmpower$3,000
- The Baby BoomersFeeding Pets of the Homeless$3,000
- Wiktorski FamilyCoachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine (CVVIM)$3,000
- The Stocking Stuffers$3,000
- Northern Nevada NutcrackersScarlet Hope — Reno$3,000
- A BLU blueblue Christmas WordleCoastal Roots Farm$3,000
- Hammer TimeNorthwoods Community Assistance Coalition$3,000
- Merry ChristmooseReal Services$3,000
- The Owen FamilyBoys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego$3,000
- Mattas Family$3,000
In 2025, $109,500 reached 22 charities chosen by the people who matter most to our family.
The Challenges That Year
Two challenges, infinite creative liberties.
A Family Portrait
Creative & funny family portrait — get the judges' attention with a holiday-oriented family photo. Silly, flashy, or downright jolly.
A Holiday Muse
Write a memorable, original holiday limerick, poem, or short story.
From the Submissions
Every team, every entry.
All 22 teams, alphabetical, with the photos and writing they submitted for 2025.
A BLU blueblue Christmas Wordle
Coastal Roots Farm
A Joyful Noise for Justice
Immigration Counseling Service
Amy Atwood & Family
Emilio Nares Foundation
Carolina Clashmas
Raleigh Dream Center
Gettin’ Down with the Chromies
Gigi's Playhouse
Hammer Time
Northwoods Community Assistance Coalition
Jingle Jammers
Action Against Hunger USA
Just Married & Very Merry
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF)
Mattas Family
San Diego Humane Society
Meneses Morgan Family
Malaria Consortium
Merry Christmoose
Real Services
Merry Mayhem
EPIC House Church (Sherwood, OR)
Northern Nevada Nutcrackers
Scarlet Hope — Reno
So Cal Christmas
Mitchell Thorp Foundation
The Baby Boomers
Feeding Pets of the Homeless
The Christmas Cowboyz Family
PFLAG San Diego County
The Owen Family
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego
The Santa Cruzers
WomenCare
The Stocking Stuffers
Rachel’s Women’s Center
Twas the Fourth Night After Christmas
Empower
Wiktorski Family
Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine (CVVIM)
Winchell Crew from Temecula
Fine Arts Network (FAN)