Ways to make a difference this holiday season

Toys collected by Bard Peripheral Vascular in Tempe

‘Tis the season to start thinking about giving back. Please consider hosting a toy, clothing or gift card drive this holiday season. The holidays can be a tough time for children living in foster care who often face the holidays without parents, siblings or other relatives. Your donations will help make the season a brighter time for these children by making sure they have new toys and clothes – things every child deserves. For more information on how you can help, please contact Katie Reck, katie.reck@aafcaz.org or 480.345.9555.

Holiday Wish Tree
We are looking for local businesses, churches and community groups to display a holiday wish tree. You provide the tree and we’ll provide the gift tags complete with a child’s name, age, gender, clothing size and holiday wish.

Teen Shopping Event
This is one of our favorite events of the year. We are in need of individuals, businesses and community groups to sponsor a teen for the holidays. Teens will be given a $100 gift card to Target to shop for their birth family, siblings, foster family or anyone else they choose. For many of our teens, this is the first time that will have the opportunity to buy a gift for someone they care about. Please consider sponsoring one of our teens for $100.

Adopt-a-Family Program
Help make the holidays a brighter time for our families in need. We are looking for local businesses, community groups and church groups to adopt foster families in need for the holidays. This wonderful program has grown tremendously due to the current state of the economy and the rise in joblessness. Groups interested in this program will be paired with a foster family who doesn’t have the financial means to celebrate the holidays without assistance. You will be given a wish list and it is up to you how you’d like to help the family. Some groups have decorated homes with Christmas lights, decorated trees and cooked Christmas dinners while other groups have decided to anonymously provide the families with gifts from their wish list. Families included in this program are truly grateful for the generous support of the community.

Holiday Clothing, Toy and Gift Card Drives
Another great way to give back is to organize a holiday clothing, toy or gift card drive at your office, church or with a community group. Collect toys, clothes and/or gift cards for children in need, just be sure to bring them to AAFC (or arrange for a pick-up) by Monday, December 14th.