2019 Holiday Giving & Volunteering Opportunities
United Way of Northwest Vermont’s mobile-friendly Volunteer Connection search platform connects you to hundreds of volunteer needs with local nonprofits. Go to https://unitedwaynwvt.galaxydigital.com/ or contact us at megan@unitedwaynwvt.org or 860-1677 to find more needs.
HOLIDAY GIVING
KidSafe Collaborative is again coordinating with the Department for Children and Families to get gift cards for kids in foster or kinship care or whose families are struggling so that DCF is involved. Volunteers can purchase a $20 or $25 gift card from local merchants and then send them to KidSafe at 45 Kilburn Street, Burlington, VT 05401 by December 2nd. For information, contact Lisa Simon at 863-9626 or email lisas@kidsafevt.org.
OPERATION HAPPINESS, a Program of United Way of Northwest Vermont helps families in Franklin and Grand Isle each year to provide and holiday meal, winter wear, and toys. This effort helps 1,000 local families each year. For information on how you can help, visit https://unitedwaynwvt.org/operation-happiness or email Megan Bridges at megan@unitedwaynwvt.org.
THE GIFT OF READING – Fletcher Free Library invites volunteers to share the joy of reading during their 29th annual “Books for Children Gift Campaign.” Choose from a list of books or make your own selections, then purchase books at Crow Bookshop or Phoenix Books for a discount. Books will be distributed to children through the Burlington Community Center, Head Start preschools, and COTS shelters. Contact Rebecca Goldberg at 865-7216 or email rgoldberg@Burlingtonvt.gov.
LUND – We are again collecting items and gift cards needed for the holidays and throughout the year to help children and families to thrive. This year’s wish list includes arts & crafts supplies, books, clothing, toys, and gifts cards. For a complete list visit: https://lundvt.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Holiday-Wishlist-2019.pdf For questions, call Julie at (802) 861-2564 or Megan at (802) 861-2585. Please drop off gifts at the Hoehl Family Building at 50 Joy Drive in South Burlington on the following days: Monday 12/2 – Friday 12/13 8:30am – 4:30pm.
A CHILD WAITS – Steps to End Domestic Violence invites volunteers to sponsor a child affected by domestic violence by fulfilling a holiday wish list. Volunteers will be provided with the age and gender of the child and the option to buy up to four gifts not to exceed $100. Businesses and organizations are invited to consider sponsoring a whole family. Volunteers are also needed to accept presents and help sort them so that every child participating receives the items on their holiday list. Contact Bessie McManus at 658-3131, Ext. 1068 or email bessiem@stepsvt.org.
HANDS (Helping and Nurturing Diverse Seniors) – 15th Annual Holiday Dinner, December 25
We’ll be partnering again this year with Age Well, Burlington School Food Project, Michelle Charron, Elks Club, Penny Cluse Café, and Temple Sinai along with many other individuals and businesses to help provide at least 700 meals and gift bags on Christmas Day. We are seeking donations for gift bags – for a list of items needed, please visit http://handsvt.org/wish-list. Please contact Jess at jessicahymanvt@gmail.com if you have questions about donations.
HOLIDAY GIVING PROJECT – Howard Center is seeking gift cards or donations to purchase gift cards to local businesses that their clients can use for food, clothing or gifts. Gift cards in denominations of $25 are appreciated. To make contributions go to http://howardcenter.org/community-education/howard-center-giving/. For more information contact Alison Johnson at 499-6913 or email alijohnson@howardcenter.org.
HOLIDAY VOLUNTEERING
SWEETWATERS CARES – Thanksgiving Day Meal
Either volunteer for a shift or sign up to bring a dessert. Visit https://www.sweetwatersvt.com/sweetwaters-cares
HOP ON THE EXPRESS – Ronald McDonald House Charities invites volunteers to join the fun aboard the 2019 Jingle Bell Express on November 30th and/or December 1st. Volunteers can serve as ticket takers, car captain and car elves, character actors, station runners, clean-up crew, and more. Help create some magical moments for the holiday season. Contact Marcia Stone at marcia@rmhcvt.org or call 862-4943.
RUNNING OF THE BELLS – Special event on Thursday, December 5 from 6:30 – 8:00pm, St. Albans
A festive one-mile walk and jog through downtown St. Albans to benefit Operation Happiness. Participants are encouraged to bring donations of canned goods and toys for Franklin and Grand Isle County families in need.
To register, visit https://runningofthebells.com/
FESTIVAL – Vermont International Festival is a multi-cultural event sponsored by the Vermont Performing Arts League that brings together food vendors, dancers, story tellers, musicians and crafters in a weekend of education, entertainment and shopping. They are in need of volunteers to help with set up on December 4th and 5th, and to sell tickets, to provide breaks at craft booths, and keep the food court clean on December 6th-8th. 3-hour shifts available on all days. Contact April Werner at 863-6713 or email april@vpal-us.org.
DECK THE HALLS! – Shelburne Museum is looking for some volunteers to help with this annual event. Help with Webby’s Studio craft activity in the Museum café on both Saturday, 12/7 and Sunday, 12/8 from 11-1 and 1-3. On Saturday, our craft will be assembling snowmen and reindeer faces out of embroidery hoops and on Sunday, our craft will be making small tabletop trees with live greens. Contact Katharine Novia at knoiva@shelburnemuseum.org or call 985-0865.
CHRISTMAS MEALS – Burlington Dismas House is looking for volunteers to help prepare portions of their Christmas meals at both houses. Volunteers are invited to join residents for the meal. In Burlington, contact Zoe Bishop at 658-0381 or email zoe@dismasofvermont.org. In Winooski, contact Sue Drollette at 655-0300 or email sue@dismasofvermont.org.
ALL WRAPPED UP – Vermont CARES has need of dozens of volunteers to wrap presents in exchange for donations at Burlington City Place beginning from December 10 -23. 3-hour shifts can accommodate 5 or 6 volunteers, so this is a great group or family or group opportunity. Click here to sign up: https://www.myvolunteering.com/vtcares/engagement/4dc9b604-bc67-483d-a61a-5e56bf16cfb1
Megan Bridges
Community Impact Coordinator
United Way of Northwest Vermont
(802) 861-7822 / (802) 864-7401 (fax)
Get connected to volunteering:
VOLUNTEER CONNECTION https://unitedwaynwvt.galaxydigital.com/