[Archived] Holiday Sharing Sponsors Needed for Children, Families and Seniors

Holiday Sharing Sponsors Needed for Children, Families and Seniors

The Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services invites the public to help make the 2013 holiday season brighter for low-income families, foster children, and senior or disabled citizens by participating in the City’s Holiday Sharing Program.  Individuals and groups take part in the program by purchasing gifts or certificates for a designated Alexandria family, foster child or elderly/disabled resident.  Gifts may be delivered directly to recipients or brought to the City’s Community and Human Services Center at 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue for distribution by staff.

 Already more families are expected to register for the 2013 Holiday Sharing Program than in 2012, due to the increased number receiving benefits as a result of lower incomes and job loss.  In 2012, in collaboration with the non-profit organization Community Partners for Children, the DCHS Holiday Sharing Program assisted 748 families, 222 seniors and disabled persons, and 107 foster children and teens.  In addition to thousands of gift items distributed through Sponsor-a-Family, Sponsor-a-Senior-Citizen and Sponsor-a-Foster Child, donors also gave a total of $15,960 in gift certificates through the Sponsor-a-Teen program and $11,165 in grocery cards for seniors and families.

 The Department of Community and Human Services is also seeking volunteers to help sort and deliver gifts at the Community and Human Services Center at 2525 Mt. Vernon Avenue on December 16, 17 and 18 in shifts from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Volunteers for the Community Partners for Children toy distribution are also sought, for activities such as hosting collection bins for toy donations, sorting the toys on December 21 and assisting parents to select appropriate toys for their children, also on December 21, at the  Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2601 Commonwealth Avenue.

 Individuals, families and groups can request more information about the program by contacting Suzanne Kratzok at 703.746.5663, or emailing holidaysharing@alexandriava.gov or registering to participate at the website www.alexandriava.gov/holidaysharing.