Sponsors Sought for City Holiday Sharing Program

Sponsors Sought for City Holiday Sharing Program

The Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services invites the public to help make the 2012 holiday season brighter for low-income families, foster children, and senior or disabled residents by participating in the City’s Holiday Sharing Program. Individuals and groups can 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 registering for the 2012 Holiday Sharing Program than in 2011 due to the increased number receiving benefits as a result of lower incomes. In 2012, in collaboration with the non-profit organization Community Partners for Children, the DCHS Holiday Sharing Program assisted 775 families, 201 seniors and disabled persons, and 121 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 $12,700 in gift certificates through the Sponsor-a-Teen program and $12,000 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 on December 10, 11, and 12 in shifts from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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 register to participate at the website www.alexandriava.gov/holidaysharing.