Here is your guide to holiday giving programs in and around Northern VA this year. I’ve included service projects as well as donation drives. Our local charities need our support all year long, but it is no secret that they get the bulk of it at this time of year, when their efforts to support the most vulnerable members of our community are close to our hearts and always on our mind. If you are looking for ways to “help Santa” as we say at my house this time of year, any of the excellent community organizations on this list would love to recruit you.
Alexandria Spirit of the Season Program
Alexandria, VASHARE THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON by visiting with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and long term care facilities. Sing carols and distribute cards and gifts. We bring the Spirit of the Season to those who don't have a celebration.
Bethany House Client Christmas Shop
Northern VAsupport victims of domestic violence by donating to the client holiday shop.
Dec 25 Day of Service
Washington, DCDecember 25th Day of Service (D25) is the Edlavitch DCJCC's largest volunteer event of the year.
Join over 1,000 volunteers at a social service agency in the metro-DC area to serve meals, sing carols, visit home-bound seniors, throw holiday parties, play bingo, and deliver holiday cheer to those in need.
Several ways to give back are also available on-site at the Edlavitch DCJCC, including our Winter Blood Drive.
Many of the projects are family-friendly - please read individual project descriptions carefully for the minimum age to volunteer at each site.
Everything but the Turkey
Washington, DCA signature program of the Edlavitch DCJCC since 1996, Everything But The Turkey (EBTT) brings together hundreds of people over three days to chop, mix, grate, and prepare over 13,000 servings of festive Thanksgiving food for people in need in the DC metro area. We make everything but the turkey, and DC Central Kitchen, our program partner, supplies delicious turkeys.
The food we make is distributed by DC Central Kitchen to over 88 local homeless shelters, transitional housing facilities, and community kitchens in the District.
Fairfax Salvation Army Angel Tree
Fairfax County & City of Fairfax, VAIf you need help getting Christmas gifts for your family this year, then you have come to the right place. Each year, The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command assists thousands of parents in Washington, DC Metro Area with providing their families a wonderful Christmas through our Angel Tree program.
In order to qualify for assistance, applicants must be in need due to an emergency financial hardship, underemployment, or unemployment. At this time only children 12 years old and under are able to receive gifts.
Fairfax VA Adopt a Child Program
Fairfax County, VAThe Adopt-a-Family Program was developed to help children and families who are in need of clothing, food and toys for the holidays. It supports families who are working with Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Children Youth and Families Division.
Since its inception in 2006, with the help of the community, this program has expanded its mission to help many families in times of need, especially during the holidays. In addition to providing families with food, clothing, toys, gasoline cards and opportunities for families to do fun activities together, we are working with other agencies to help provide support throughout the year to our families. For more information email Krissa Slone or call 703-324-7751.
Gifting For Families
Manassas, VAHelp make the holiday season brighter for more than 2,000 children and their families in Northern Virginia. Whether you donate, volunteer, or organize a toy drive, it can’t happen without you.
HomeStretch Holiday Shopping Spree & Gift-Wrapping Party
Falls Church, VirginiaTime: Seasonal (one Saturday in December)
Description: Help Homestretch children shop for Christmas gifts to give to their family members. Shopping spree is followed by a holiday party with games, gift-wrapping, food, and more. Volunteers must be age 18 or older.
Location: K-Mart and local church
Group/Solo: Good for individual or group volunteers
In Kind Giving Doorways for Women & Families
Arlington, VADonations from the community aid Doorways in keeping food and household supplies expenditures as low as possible, enabling us to focus our financial resources on providing our clients with a safe home and family-centered support services that provide the tools and skills they need to build independent, self-sufficient lives.
Koinonia Christmas Wishes
Franconia United Methodist ChurchPreparations for the 2017 holiday season have already begun here at Koinonia. We are now accepting donations of unwrapped Christmas gifts so that our clients can pick out gifts for their families!
This year Christmas wishes will be held at Franconia United Methodist Church from December 12 - 13. Donations will be accepted through December 11th. Click on the link below for a list of suggested toys and gift cards.
Koinonia Holiday Baskets
Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, Alexandria 22310Preparing a special holiday meal and joining one’s family around the table to give thanks are visions that come to mind when we think of Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. For many families and individuals in our area, however, enjoying a special holiday meal when finances are tight is just not possible. Last year, Koinonia provided over 100 baskets of food at Thanksgiving and again at Christmas to area families, individuals, and our senior citizen clients. The baskets were given out of the generosity of so many, and received with thanks and delight.
Operation Turkey
Manassas, VAPROVIDING THANKSGIVING DINNER FOR PRINCE WILLIAM FAMILIES Operation Turkey provides Thanksgiving meals to more than 800 families in Greater Prince William who would not otherwise have been able to join in the festivities.
SOME Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets
Washington, DCThanksgiving Dinner Baskets
Can you provide a Thanksgiving Dinner Basket for someone in need?
Gather your family, friends, or co-workers to make up a basket for one or more low-income families or individuals. It’s easy and fun, and you’ll know that you’ve made the holiday brighter for a struggling adult, senior or family.
This year, due to a shortage of freezer space on-site at SOME, we are asking Thanksgiving Basket Drive participants to NOT donate physical turkeys. If you wish to provide a turkey for the drive, please bring $15 per turkey in cash or check (made out to SOME) with your items or make a donation online.
The Duffy House Santa's Secret Workshop
Burke United Methodist ChurchEVENT IS HELD DEC 9
This popular event is designed to allow survivor children to "buy" Christmas gifts for their families and extended families at no cost to them. The Workshop is a children-only place, and kids will be assisted by volunteer Santa's Helpers to find just the right gifts.
The Workshop shelves are stocked with donated items, or items purchased with donated funds. Gift-wrapping is also provided at no cost to participants.
The Duffy House is in need of donations to stock the Workshop shelves, and special "Spree Sponsorships" are available for $50 and allow a child to "purchase" gifts for every member of their family, regardless of number. Monetary donations of any amount are welcome and appreciated.
The Fund for Alexandria's Child Holiday Sharing Program
Alexandria, VAWhen the first leaf falls, it is time to think about Holiday Sharing. The holiday season is a joyous occasion filled with excitement and anticipation. For many though, the holidays are a very stressful time of year due to financial hardship. There is a tremendous need in our community to help those less fortunate.
Please reach out to the neediest in the community by joining our program to Sponsor a Family, Senior Citizen or Disabled Individual, Foster Child or Foster Teen, and to participate in the Alexandria Community Toy Drive. You can help with your TIME by volunteering or with your RESOURCES by sponsoring and donating gifts.
