If you want to give back to the community this holiday season, here are some organizations looking for volunteers.
1. Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is a program founded and run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, distributing toys to young children whose parents cannot afford gifts during the Holidays. Toys for Tots of Dallas/Fort Worth is looking for volunteers to sort toys at their warehouse. To get involved, visit their website and complete the Gratuitous Service Agreement form online. You can also donate a new, unwrapped toy appropriate for infants up to 14-year-olds. You can donate gifts at certain drop-off locations, which are listed on the Toys for Tots website.
Do you need a gift for that friend, relative, or business associate who already has everything? Donate to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in their honor! https://t.co/uB3fySFZtV pic.twitter.com/fFBdLOKUCu
— Toys for Tots (@ToysForTots_USA) December 8, 2019
2. Macy’s “Believe” Campaign for Make-A-Wish
Since 2008, Macy’s Department Store has partnered with Make-A-Wish to help raise money for the wishes of children battling serious illnesses. To participate, volunteers can write letters addressed to Santa, asking him to help support Make-A-Wish children. All letters are dropped off at the red letterboxes located in every Macy’s or sent online here. For every letter sent, Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish for up to $1 million. To learn more about the campaign visit Macy’s Make-A-Wish website.
It’s not easy for a kid to battle a critical illness, but a wish can give them hope. Join @Macys in granting wishes this holiday by writing your letter to Santa in-store or online at https://t.co/0CZxggU83m thru 12/24.✍️🎅Each letter =$1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1M! #MacysBelieve pic.twitter.com/njaOml2eGw
— Make-A-Wish America (@MakeAWish) November 1, 2019
3. Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center Holiday Toy Drive
SMU Parking and ID Card Services generously offers students, faculty and staff the opportunity to pay off parking tickets by donating toys of equal or greater value to replace their parking tickets. Just bring your parking ticket, toy, and receipt to the Parking and ID Card Services Office located in Hughes Trigg. For a list of toys requested check out SMU’s Toys for Tickets site.
4. The Salvation Army DFW Angel Tree
The Salvation Army helps spread holiday cheer to children in need through Angel trees. Children’s tags are printed and placed on individual trees located at malls and other companies and organizations. Volunteers select trees and purchase new gifts that the child has listed on the back of their angel. This year, the DFW Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to collect donations and participants to select their own angel trees. To learn more information visit The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree webpage.
5. New Horizons Annual Christmas Party
Every year, New Horizons of North Texas hosts a Christmas Party, giving their kids a special day they will never forget. New Horizons is a nonprofit dedicated to helping at risk-children whose families are living below the poverty line. Volunteers are asked to come dress in “tacky” Christmas attire, ready to serve with energy and a joyful attitude for the kids. The Christmas party will be held on December 13 from 3-5:30 p.m., but shifts will be going from 1-7 p.m. For more information or to confirm yourself as a volunteer, email Cammie Avers at [email protected].
Happy Holidays, Mustangs!
