A Little About Santa Greg and “Christmas In July Charity”
How It all started:
Greg Cemke, founder of the Christmas in July Charity in Central Wisconsin, has a story of resilience, gratitude, and a deep desire to give back.
After surviving a near-fatal ATV accident—an event that changed his life forever—Greg was given a second chance. What could have been his darkest moment became the driving force behind his mission to help children facing medical challenges.
"Deep within me, I always had a desire to help children in need, and that became my focus. After my recovery, I participated in the WI Warrior Dash, raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to support kids battling cancer. Though I can no longer run in the Warrior Dash, my commitment to making a difference never wavered. I wanted to expand my efforts to support more children right here in our local community." – Greg Cemke
With that vision in mind, Greg reached out to Marshfield Children’s Hospital to learn about their needs. When he shared the idea of Christmas in July—a unique event where Santa rides a motorcycle to deliver joy, comfort, and gifts to pediatric patients—the hospital embraced it wholeheartedly. And so, the Christmas in July Charity was born.
The main goal of the “CHRISTMAS IN JULY” Charity is to bring joy, comfort, and support to children and families facing medical challenges, whether they are hospitalized or navigating unique life circumstances. We strive to make a positive impact by brightening their lives and easing their journeys.
From a second chance at life to ten years of spreading joy, Santa Greg and the Christmas in July Charity team continue to show that the greatest gift is giving.
A Decade of Impact:
What started as a heartfelt mission has grown into a movement. Over the past 10 years, Greg and his team have dedicated more than 15,000 volunteer hours, and the charity has raised over $500,000 to support children and families in need. Each year, the Christmas in July Charity has funded critical projects to enhance the hospital experience for young patients.
Yearly Contributions: A Decade of Impact
✅ Year 1: 🎮 Provided a Nintendo Wii U for every pediatric room, bringing entertainment and comfort to young patients.
✅ Year 2: 🧸 Funded teaching dolls & patient puppets to help children understand medical procedures and express emotions.
✅ Year 3: 🎯 Installed Touch 2 Play gaming systems in waiting areas and playrooms to make hospital visits less stressful.
✅ Year 4: 🌟 Introduced portable sensory stations to create calming environments and reduce anxiety in patient rooms.
✅ Year 5: 🥽 Supplied VR goggles to distract children during procedures and assist with pain management.
✅ Year 6: 🎬 Funded a specialized MRI movie system, reducing the need for sedation by creating a more comforting experience.
✅ Year 7:
✨ Installed Starry Night lighting in recovery rooms for a soothing atmosphere.
🎮 Provided six Mobile Magic gaming systems for kids to enjoy in their rooms.
💕 Launched Precious Moment Memories, offering hand-cast keepsakes for families saying goodbye to a child.
✅ Year 8: 🏡 Fully renovated and funded the Kids Getaway Lounge, giving young patients a space to escape hospital life and just be kids.
✅ Year 9: 🐶 Introduced Dolly, the facility therapy dog, providing comfort and support during treatments and hospital stays.
✅ Year 10 (2024): 🎁 Funded 10 New Children’s Hospital Priorities:
🧸 Butterfly Pig Dolls – Teaching tools to help children understand upcoming medical procedures.
📚 Library Media Box – Allows kids to choose a movie for comfort during their stay.
🧼 ZONO Disinfecting Cabinet – Ensuring hospital toys and supplies remain germ-free.
🎮 Adaptive Switch Toys – Making play accessible for children with special needs.
💕 More Precious Moment Memories – Expanding the hand-cast keepsake program for grieving families.
🪑 Rockin’ Robin Chair – Outdoor seating that promotes vestibular stimulation.
🏞️ Inclusive Playground Swing – Making playtime accessible for all children.
🎶 Concerto Vibes Chimes – Outdoor musical chimes for a soothing hospital environment.
🌟 Sibling Bravery Beads – Recognizing the strength of siblings supporting their hospitalized brother or sister.
📖 Book Resources for Families – Providing literature to help families understand and navigate their child’s medical journey.
💙 In 2025, we’re taking on our biggest project yet—funding a state-of-the-art Pediatric Rehab Gym!
Year 11 the 2025 Project
In 2025, the Christmas in July Charity is setting its sights on its most ambitious goal yet: funding a state-of-the-art Pediatric Rehab Gym at Marshfield Children’s Hospital. This gym will provide essential therapy resources to help young patients heal, recover, and regain strength—because every child deserves the chance to thrive.
In addition to supporting the hospital, the charity is expanding its impact by funding the first-ever sensory room at a local organization that helps children with autism. This specially designed space will provide a safe, calming environment where children can regulate their emotions, engage their senses, and develop essential skills for daily life.
By continuing to meet the needs of children and families facing medical challenges, whether they are hospitalized or navigating unique life circumstances. Christmas in July Charity remains committed to bringing comfort, support, and smiles to those who need it most.
A “Paws-itive” New Team Member
One of the most heartwarming additions to Marshfield Children’s Hospital is Dolly Paw-ton, a specially trained facility dog who joined the Child Life and Expressive Therapies team in November 2024.
Dolly comes from Canine Assistants in Georgia, where she was trained using a bond-based approach to help pediatric patients cope with medical procedures, hospital stays, and treatments. Unlike traditional pet therapy, Dolly is part of a goal-directed program that works alongside Child Life specialists to help children heal, cope, and achieve treatment goals.
Marshfield Children’s Hospital is one of only two children’s hospitals in Wisconsin to have a facility dog, and this incredible program is fully funded through donations from Christmas in July Charity.
Dolly is an intentional part of patient treatment, providing comfort and emotional support in various situations, including:
🐾 Distraction & Comfort – Dolly helps ease anxiety by providing comfort positioning during MRI scans, IV starts, SANE exams, and other procedures.
🐾 Preparation & Education – Dolly assists in demonstrating medical procedures, helping children understand what to expect during scans or treatments.
🐾 Medical Play – Patients can interact with Dolly by listening to her heartbeat or placing a pretend IV in her paw, which helps familiarize them with their own medical experiences.
Santa Greg Honored with the Jefferson Award!
We are thrilled to share that Santa Greg has been awarded the prestigious Jefferson Award for Public Service in January 2023! 🎉
This national honor recognizes individuals who make a profound impact in their communities through service and leadership—and there is no one more deserving than our very own Santa Greg.
Congratulations, Greg! Your leadership, generosity, and commitment inspire us all. Thank you for making the world a brighter place—one smile at a time!
A quote from the Children’s Hospital’s Child Life Manager in Marshfield:
“The Children’s Hospital’s Child Life Services is funded in full by philanthropy. We would not be able to meet the needs of our patients without the help from
organizations like Greg’s!”
-Heidi Geise