The Ace of Hearts Project is a kid-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives toys to children going through hard times and writes Letters of Love to seniors. It was founded in 2023 by Ace Christopherson-Bilbruck, and every seat on its board of directors is held by a kid.
Kids supporting kids is the whole idea. The Ace of Hearts Project serves children facing illness, foster care, homelessness, divorce, the loss of a home to fire and other trauma. It also visits seniors in assisted living and senior centers for letters, arts and crafts and bingo.
Since 2023, the Ace of Hearts Project has hosted more than 100 community events, delivered more than 25,000 toys and shared nearly 15,000 handwritten letters across Southern California.
Who founded the Ace of Hearts Project?
Ace Christopherson-Bilbruck, nicknamed “Ace of Hearts,” founded the Ace of Hearts Project after coming up with the idea at age six. He wanted to deliver toys in August “because I’m not in school.” That summer idea grew into a year-round nonprofit.
Ace is now 11. He is a black belt in taekwondo who trains at Jung Martial Arts in Dove Canyon and plays nearly every sport. He signs Ace of Hearts Project documents as Founder.
How does a kid-led nonprofit board work?
Every member of the Ace of Hearts Project board of directors is a child. The Ace of Hearts Project was founded by kids who live in Coto de Caza, and its board and volunteers have grown from there.
Each board member has a personal “hero” name and logo, which makes giving feel like a team sport. Members include:
Kash Money, Chief Officer, who also brought his Friars Baseball team into the 2026 toy drive
Micah Mash, who led Operation Sweet Salute, a Halloween candy drive for troops overseas
Colton Crash, Delany Dancer, Benny the Jet, Kingston Kong, Kellan Bolt, Aydin Almighty, Gianna Glitters, Levi Love, Blakely Bold, Mason Meteor and Maddie Mystical
Adults support the work, but kids choose the projects, deliver the toy boxes and write the letters. Meet the full team on the Meet the Board page.
What programs does the Ace of Hearts Project run?
The Ace of Hearts Project runs two core programs: toy drives for children in need and Letters of Love for seniors and children. Both are planned and delivered by kids.
Toy drives for children in need
The Ace of Hearts Project collects new toys year-round and delivers them to kids on birthdays, during hospital stays and when they are newly placed in foster care. The biggest push is the annual holiday toy drive.
Schools, businesses, teams and clubs host a 50-gallon Ace of Hearts Project toy box
Families shop the Amazon wish list and ship toys directly
Students can earn service hours for hosting a drive
The 2025 holiday toy drive handed out more than 7,000 toys
The 2026 holiday toy drive has boxes at businesses including Bagelmania in Huntington Beach, Jung Martial Arts in Dove Canyon, Treehouse Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, Elite Dentistry in Rancho Santa Margarita, Pave School of the Arts, American Gym Boxing and School of Rock RSM. The Coto Mothers Club is also collecting toys in Coto de Caza through Dec. 18.
Letters of Love for seniors
Letters of Love are handwritten notes of hope and friendship written by kids. The Ace of Hearts Project delivers them to senior centers, assisted living facilities, hospitals and foster care homes.
Kids don’t just drop letters off. They sit with seniors to read letters together, play bingo and do arts and crafts. In December 2026, Kash Money’s Friars Baseball team will visit a senior center for an arts and crafts day.
Community service projects
Board members also lead their own service projects. In November 2026, Micah Mash’s Operation Sweet Salute collected 320 pounds of Halloween candy for U.S. troops overseas, tripling its 100-pound goal. The Ace of Hearts Project also supported families after the Los Angeles fires and has served with the LA Dream Center.
Ace of Hearts Project impact by the numbers
In about three years, the kids of the Ace of Hearts Project have reached tens of thousands of children and seniors.
25,000+ toys delivered to children in need
Nearly 15,000 Letters of Love written and shared
100+ community events hosted or joined
7,000+ toys handed out in the 2025 holiday toy drive alone
Awards, grants and media coverage
The Ace of Hearts Project has earned recognition from award programs, foundations and Los Angeles TV news.
Named Children’s Support Non-Profit Organization of the Year in the Corporate LiveWire Global Awards 2026/27
Awarded a $10,000 Fly Together grant from the Anaheim Ducks Foundation in 2026
Supported by Hilton as a Single Ace Sponsor of the toy drives and Letters of Love
Featured on KTLA 5, CBS Los Angeles and FOX 11 Good Day LA
Partnered with Olive Crest on SummerFest and with the Festival of Children Foundation to help announce its KARA Awards recipients
See more on the Awards and Media pages.
How to help the Ace of Hearts Project
Anyone, anywhere, can support the Ace of Hearts Project in five easy ways.
Host a holiday toy drive. Sign up on the Holiday Toy Drive 2026 page and the kids will deliver a branded toy box to your school, business, team or office.
Shop the wish list. Send new toys straight from the Amazon wish list.
Mail toys or letters. Ship to Ace of Hearts Project, 201 E. Sandpointe Ave., Suite 440, Santa Ana, CA 92707.
Donate. Give on the Donate page or on Venmo at @AceOfHeartsProject. The Ace of Hearts Project is a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Volunteer or partner. Kids can become official Letters of Love writers, and companies can sponsor programs through the Partnerships page.
Questions? Email ace@aceofheartsproject.com or follow @aceofheartsproj on Instagram.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I donate toys for the holidays?
You can drop new toys in any Ace of Hearts Project toy box at partner businesses, or ship them to 201 E. Sandpointe Ave., Suite 440, Santa Ana, CA 92707. The Amazon wish list is the fastest option.
Is the Ace of Hearts Project a real nonprofit?
Yes. The Ace of Hearts Project is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity, so donations may be tax-deductible.
Can my school or business host a toy drive?
Yes. Sign up on the Holiday Toy Drive 2026 page and a board member will deliver a 50-gallon toy box. Holiday drives can start in mid-October and run through December.
Can kids volunteer with the Ace of Hearts Project?
Yes. Kids can host toy drives, write Letters of Love and join senior visits. Students can log volunteer hours for service.
Who does the Ace of Hearts Project help?
The Ace of Hearts Project helps children who are sick, in foster care, experiencing homelessness, living in divided families or recovering from disasters like fire. It also brings friendship to seniors in assisted living and senior centers.
What are Letters of Love?
Letters of Love are handwritten notes of kindness written by kids and delivered to seniors, hospitals and foster care homes. Anyone can apply to become an official Letters of Love writer.
Who started the Ace of Hearts Project?
Ace Christopherson-Bilbruck started the Ace of Hearts Project in 2023. He had the idea at age six, and today he leads it with an all-kid board of directors.