Christmas is a few weeks away and many families are putting together last-minute presents to nestle under the tree for their loved ones. Unfortunately, this won’t be a reality for all residents in Phoenix, but Valley nonprofits like Arizona’s Children Association, Hunkapi Programs and New Life Center are aiming to change that.

Please see below for a description of each nonprofit’s Christmas initiatives, including donations needed to support community members in need.

Arizona’s Children Association
Every year, Arizona’s Children Association runs a “Gifts of Hope” drive, which is a partnership with local community members and businesses to collect toys for foster children ages birth to 18.

AzCA can match sponsors with a child or family and provide a list of their needs and wishes. Sponsors can also shop the association’s Amazon wish lists, send gift cards, or make a monetary donation and AzCA will do the shopping for them! Business can also participate by setting up collection boxes in their establishments, allowing customers and employees to drop presents in that are collected by the association at the end of the campaign.

For those who want to participate, please visit https://www.arizonaschildren.org/other-ways-to-give/#gifts-of-hope.

Hunkapi Programs
For the 16th year, Hunkapi will be hosting a socially distanced Christmas on the Farm, where children from Child Crisis Arizona, Sojourner Center and other homes will spend the day riding horses, eating delicious food and getting showered will love and presents. Currently, the equine-therapy farm is in need of:
• Duffel bags
• Reins
• Horse plushies
• Starbucks gift cards

The program’s full wish list can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/36BI9BZU15UZP/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex.

New Life Center
For domestic violence survivors at New Life Center’s emergency shelter, planning for the holidays while dealing with the repercussions of an abusive relationship is not easy. Often, victims enter the shelter with only the clothes on their back, making it difficult to buy presents for their kids or plan any festive activities. NLC recognizes this and turns the shelter into a winter wonderland every year, so parents don’t feel like their child is missing the magic of Christmas.

Over the next few weeks, NLC will create a Christmas shop where parents can “buy” presents for their kids – in reality, the shelter will provide victims with vouchers, so they do not feel financially burdened. The shelter is asking for donations of:
• Gift cards to Walmart, Target, Amazon, etc.
• Toys including Legos, Barbies, puzzles, etc.
• Books for kids and teens
• Beauty products including face masks

The shelter’s full wish list can be found at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/g2yxgog1r9sghq2/Christmas%20Wish%20List.docx?dl=0To. donate, community members can email Volunteer Manager Susan Allen at [email protected] and coordinate a drop-off/pick-up.