For Tina Altman, giving back isn’t seasonal—it’s who she is.
Over 15 years ago, what started as a small effort to help 80 local families in need during the holidays has grown into something deeply rooted in community impact. Today, through A Place of Hope MN, Tina—known throughout Washington County as “Santa Tina”—has helped serve over 30,000 kids.
But for Tina, it’s never been about the numbers.
“It’s about dignity,” she says. “It’s about making sure every child has something to open and every parent feels supported—not judged.”
As a local Realtor licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin, Tina has built her business on relationships, trust, and showing up. She’s deeply connected to the community and committed to making a lasting impact.
What sets A Place of Hope MN apart is simple: everything stays local. Every toy, every dollar, and every volunteer hour goes directly back into Washington County.
For the first 12 years, Tina partnered with the Toys for Tots program through the U.S. Marines. While that helped grow the program, it also came with limitations—most donations were distributed across larger metro areas, and children over age 14 were often left out.
Over time, that didn’t align with what Tina was seeing locally.
“We were doing the work here, but not always seeing the impact stay here,” she says.
Five years ago, she stepped away from Toys for Tots and built A Place of Hope MN into a fully local, community-driven effort—focused on flexibility, inclusivity, and real impact.
After more than 15 years, Tina stepped away briefly and semi-retired. But as the economy shifted—with layoffs, rising costs, and more families quietly struggling—she saw the need return.
At the same time, many programs moved to “Adopt-a-Family” models with early deadlines, often leaving families who experience last-minute hardship without support.
“I saw families falling through the cracks,” Tina says. “Life happens. And when it does, people need options.”
So she brought the Toy Shop back—this time with intention.
Pre-registration opens in late November, creating space for families who may not realize they need help until later in the season.
The Toy Shop, previously held in Oakdale for over 15 years, is now hosted in Cottage Grove—bringing the impact even closer to local families.
A Place of Hope MN serves children from newborn through age 18 and does not require proof of hardship.
“If someone reaches out, we help. It’s that simple,” Tina says.
Families shop with dignity, choosing gifts and even grocery cards when available.
Behind it all are over 100 volunteers, ages 14 to 80, creating a welcoming and joyful experience. 
For those looking to make a difference, there are many ways to get involved—donate toys or funds, volunteer at the Toy Shop, host a local toy drive, or become a corporate sponsor. Every contribution, big or small, helps bring joy and dignity to local families.
At the end of the day, it’s simple:
Local giving. Local support. Real impact.
And Tina believes:
When a community shows up for each other, anything is possible.