The Santa Claus Fund was officially started in 1982 by Carol and Dick Travis of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with the goal of buying brand new toys and clothes for children of families who are in crisis or considered to be low income. An example would be a family experiencing severe medical issues, economic crisis, or other circumstances.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
For forty-two years, the Santa Claus Fund has made the Holidays special for children by shopping for specific requests for clothing and toys from a wish list that is provided by the parents. Over 150 volunteer shoppers will shop anonymously for over 562 children, wrap and tag all gifts, and picked up by the families a week before Christmas.
MEET THE SANTA FUND BOARD
ROBIN FIELDS
Robin Fields has lived full-time in Jackson for nine years. She first moved here from Connecticut where she and her husband raised their sons. She was involved in many volunteer and non-profit organizations in Connecticut and was drawn to the Santa Claus Fund several years ago after she had participated in something similar in Connecticut. She is new to the Board, and looks forward to working with the partner organizations and other board members to bring holiday joy to members of our community. She also serves on the Grand Teton National Park Foundation Resource Council. She is a retired attorney, and in her free time, she enjoys all the outdoor activities that Jackson offers.
LIZA KIMMEL
Liza Kimmel grew up in Buffalo, NY and yes, she is an avid sports fan. She first moved to Jackson in 1991 right out of college, “just for 1 year.” Thirty-three years later and she is still here. She learned about Santa Fund from a friend about five years ago and immediately volunteered to be a shopper. She previously worked with underprivileged youth for 13 years and recognized how much even a single gift under the Christmas tree can brighten a child’s life. When she is not busy shopping for gifts, she runs her own small business in Teton County. She has two grown children and still loves how excited they get on Christmas morning. Her favorite thing about the holidays is exploring the lakes in the Tetons to find the perfect black ice to skate with friends and family.
JENNIFER M. LIRA
Jennifer M. Lira was born and raised in Jackson. She graduated from JHHS in 2015 and the University of Wyoming in 2019. Jen’s volunteer efforts began in 2010 when she first volunteered at the Teton County Library. Her volunteer efforts spanned nationwide, including Flint, Michigan during the Flint water crisis, the Rocky Mountain region for income disparity, and in October 2019, she first volunteered as a shopper for Santa Fund before joining the Board in March of 2022. Jennifer currently works as a paralegal with The Spence Law Firm, LLC. In her spare time, she enjoys paddling and biking. Her favorite thing about the holidays is being surrounded by lights and festivities in the snow-covered mountains of Jackson.
SHANNON STEC
Shannon Stec is originally from Philmont, NY. She moved to Jackson twenty years ago and lives with her husband, three kiddos, two dogs, and cat. She works as a Relationship Manager for Willow Street Group and when she is not busy working or running kids around, she loves getting outside whether that be hiking, running, camping, or skiing. She got involved in the Santa Claus Fund a few years ago as a way to help her kids better understand and appreciate volunteering and being a part of the community they live in. She absolutely loves the holiday season, not just the holiday itself, especially cooking and baking holiday treats, decorating the house, and hunting for a Christmas tree every year. And she is a firm believer that it’s never too early to start playing holiday music!
ARIEL MANN
Ariel Mann grew up in Jackson, and after attending Colorado College and some brief stints in Chicago and abroad, she realized that this small town was a truly special place that she wanted to call home forever. Her involvement with the Santa Claus Fund began 30 years ago, when she would help her mother, a longtime shopper for the fund, with gift selection and wrapping every holiday season. Ariel’s love language is gift giving and so it brings her great joy to continue on the family tradition of being a shopper by ensuring that children and families in need experience the joy of the holiday season. When not in gift-giving mode, Ariel teaches yoga and enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, cooking, traveling and doing what she can to rescue as many dogs as possible through her involvement with Aska’s Animals Foundation and the Animal Adoption Center.
AMY BROOKS
Amy has been a Jackson resident for 45 years. She moved here with college friends and ended up staying after meeting her husband of now 42 years. Amy has two grown sons who also live in Jackson and volunteer as shoppers for Santa Claus Fund as well. Amy started with the Santa Claus Fund in 2009 when she worked as a case manager for the Community Resource Center and then One22. Amy volunteered for the Jackson Cupboard as a Board member since it’s inception in 2001 and retired from that position and One22 in 2021. Retirement has provided lots of travel time as well as her other favorite activities such as hiking, biking, skiing, golfing and being a board member with Santa Fund. Helping people in need has always been important to Amy and providing a joyful Christmas to kids in Jackson has been a true delight. Working with the other board members is always a plus but knowing that some families struggle to live in Jackson and provide for their basic daily needs is what makes volunteering for Santa Fund such a joy.
DIANA EDLINGER
Diana Edlinger has called Jackson Hole home for the past 11 years, drawing inspiration from the area’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant community. As a full-time photographer, videographer, she specializes in crafting timeless and heartfelt moments for her clients.When not immersed in her work, Diana loves staying active or catching a movie. Her two cherished cats, Isi and YaYa, are her constant companions and bring endless joy to her days.Diana’s Danish and Austrian heritage has instilled in her a deep love for Christmas, making her a true enthusiast of the holiday season. She’s even the person who starts listening to Christmas music on November 1st to fully embrace the festive spirit.Diana is thrilled to be a part of the Santa Fund Board, helping spread Christmas cheer to children who need it most.