As the holiday season approaches, Catholic Charities is inviting community members and organizations to help spread Christmas cheer to local families in Chemung and Schuyler Counties. This year’s program offers several meaningful ways to get involved and make a difference.
Adopt a Family for Christmas
Participants can adopt a local family by completing a short form on Catholic Charities’ website indicating how many families they would like to shop for. Wish lists will be provided by staff, and donors are asked to deliver new, unwrapped gifts by December 4. Donors will be given a specific drop-off at the beginning of December, and any gifts can be dropped off during regular business hours on the date given to them.
To accommodate families staying in motels or safehouses, gifts should be delivered in a storage tote (no larger than 31 gallons) to help with organization and storage. Volunteers will wrap the gifts and label them to maintain confidentiality, and staff will handle delivery.
Additional Ways to Help
Host a Drive – Collect warm items such as hats, gloves, and coats (especially men’s and children’s sizes). Items should be new and unwrapped and delivered by December 30.
Donate Wrapping Supplies – wrapping paper, tape, gift bags, tissue paper, and gift boxes are always needed to prepare gifts for adopted families.
Provide Gift Cards – Cards to local restaurants, grocery stores, or for transportation (gas or bus tokens) are welcome.
Make a Monetary Donation – Financial contributions help meet urgent local needs during the holiday season.
For more information or to get involved, please contact Samantha Parsons at (607) 317-5625 or [email protected] or visit Catholic Charities’ website at CatholicCharitiesCS.org/give-help/christmas-donations/.
To Adopt a Family please visit https://bit.ly/CCCSAdoptAFamily2025
To Volunteer this Holiday Season please visit https://catholiccharitiescs.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/specialevents
To View Catholic Charities’ Christmas Wishlist please visit https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/WCH2SZI1AMCQ?ref_=wl_share