Generations of Generosity 

In 1968, Carleton of Oak Park owners Ron and Cathy Fox hosted a festive Christmas bash at their hotel to cheer up 50 young survivors of neglect and abuse from Hephzibah Home. Over the next five decades, their compassionate acts became a Fox family tradition spanning three generations. From his first Santa gig in the 1960s bursting into the Carleton’s banquet room after landing his reindeer-powered sleigh to his most recent appearance as in 2024, Ron Fox has brought comfort and joy to thousands of children at Hephzibah Home. Now in his eighties, Ron isn’t planning to hang up his Santa suit anytime soon. “I’d never miss a chance to make the holiday season a happy one for these kids,” he confides. “Everyone in our family pitches in to make it a great day for the kids, from our daughter, Katie, and our son, Mike, to our grandchildren” adds Cathy. Their granddaughter Kaily has spread the word to her employer, KBC Advisors, who have since made generous donations to cover the cost of Christmas presents for hundreds of children in our residential, foster care, and intact family services programs and dispatched teams of volunteers to wrap those gifts. “My experiences at Hephzibah have opened my eyes to the resilience of children and the power of compassion,” says Kaily. “I carry those lessons with me, and I feel a strong responsibility to use my voice and my position to continue to support Hephzibah’s mission in the years to come.”