The e-commerce marketplace Groupon hosted a charitable holiday event on November 8 that it dubbed the "Well-Kept Holiday Secret." Partnering with Operation Warm, which provides new winter coats for low-income children, the company invited 50 local families to come pick up coats at Chicago's Venue One. Once the families arrived, the clothing was displayed in pop-up shops for boys and girls—but there were several holiday-theme surprises in store.
In addition to receiving free coats, the children got personalized gifts distributed by costumed elves. (Before the event, families had provided their entire holiday wish lists, which event hosts used to select the gifts.) Event Creative decked the venue in winter-wonderland-inspired decor, and there was a cookie-decorating station, a photo opportunity in Santa's sleigh, and hot chocolate.
Then, on "Giving Tuesday," a charitable response to the commercialism of Black Friday this year held December 1, Groupon showed videos and photos from the event on its website and urged users to donate $1 to Operation Warm. Those who did received $10 off their Groupon local deals that day. The company is also accepting donations for Operation Warm through the end of the year. Here's a peek inside the festive, charitable event.
