Help Create A Holiday Together for Local Families
Four local organizations are coming together to ensure children and families experiencing financial hardship can celebrate the joy, warmth, and connection of the holiday season.
The holidays should be a season of hope, connection, and celebration. For many households experiencing financial hardship, however, the season can also bring added stress and difficult choices.
This year, Community Action, Caritas, Family Promise, and Family Services are partnering to provide A Holiday Together, a collaborative holiday experience serving local children, families, and single adults participating in programs across our organizations.
While financial contributions are always appreciated, our greatest need is in-kind donations that help ensure every child, parent, caregiver, and single adult receives a meaningful holiday gift and opportunity to celebrate the season with dignity.
We are currently collecting new, unwrapped gifts and essential items for children, teens, families, and single adults.
Shop Our Amazon Wish List
Want an easy way to help?
We've created an Amazon Wish List featuring many of our most-needed items. Gifts can be shipped directly to support A Holiday Together participants.
Suggested Amazon categories:
- Infant & toddler educational toys
- Developmental learning toys
- Teen gift cards
- Teen self-care items
- Bluetooth speakers and headphones
- Adult self-care gifts
- Small household appliances
- Blankets and comfort items
- Tool kits and work essentials
Gifts for Children Ages 0-3
Most needed items include:
- Fisher-Price toys
- Educational toys
- Board books
- Interactive learning toys
- Musical toys
- Stacking toys
- Shape sorters
- Building blocks
- Push and pull toys
- Sensory toys
- Bath toys
- Baby dolls
- Toy vehicles
- Plush animals
- Activity tables
- Fine motor skill toys
- Puzzles designed for toddlers
- Teething toys
- Play kitchen accessories
- Dress-up and pretend play items
Gifts for Teens
Popular teen gift ideas include:
Gift Cards
- Walmart
- Target
- GameStop
- Amazon
- Starbucks
- Ulta Beauty
- Sephora
- Visa prepaid cards
- TJ Maxx
- Five Below
- Marcus Theatres
- Best Buy
Other Teen Gifts
- Bluetooth speakers
- Headphones
- Water bottles
- Sports equipment
- Art supplies
- Journals
- Hoodies
- Popular board games
- LED room décor
- Phone accessories
- Self-care kits
- Fleece blankets
- Makeup and skincare sets
- Backpacks
- Craft kits
Gifts for Adults and Single Adults
We are also serving single adults this holiday season and are seeking practical and comforting gifts.
Most needed items include:
- Candles
- Lotions
- Blankets
- Self-care items
- Tool kits
- Work gloves
- Work socks
- Household appliances
- Picture frames
- Coffee mugs
- Water bottles
- Kitchen utensils
- Slow cookers
- Air fryers
- Toasters
- Personal care gift sets
- Throw blankets
- Journals
- Adult coloring books
- Coffee and tea gift baskets
- Flashlights
- Small home repair kits
- Winter hats and scarves
- Insulated travel mugs
- Laundry baskets
- Storage containers
- Cleaning supply kits
- Pill organizers
- Cozy slippers
Financial Contributions
Monetary donations help us fill gaps, purchase age-appropriate gifts, provide event supplies, and ensure every participant receives support.
Your gift helps provide:
- Children's gifts
- Teen gifts
- Adult and caregiver gifts
- Gift wrap and supplies
- Holiday crafts and activities
- Family photos and keepsakes
- Refreshments and treats
- Event materials and decorations
Every contribution helps make the holidays brighter for local children, families, and single adults.
Partner With Us
Businesses, churches, civic groups, schools, and community organizations can make a meaningful impact by partnering with A Holiday Together.
Partnership opportunities include:
- Hosting a toy or gift drive
- Organizing a workplace collection campaign
- Sponsoring holiday gifts
- Coordinating volunteer groups
- Sending teams to assist during the event
- Donating supplies, refreshments, or holiday activities
Our team can help make participation easy by providing:
- Promotional flyers and collection materials
- Public recognition and acknowledgment of support
Organizations hosting drives or sending teams do not need to register volunteers individually. We are happy to work directly with your organization to coordinate participation.
For partnership opportunities, contact:
Kelsey Hood-Christenson: khood@familyservices1.org
Donation Drop-Off Locations
In-kind donations may be dropped off at any participating agency.
Community Action
1428 Wisconsin Ave
Beloit, WI 53511
Hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Call to schedule a drop-off: 608-313-1300
Caritas
2840 South Prairie Ave
Beloit, WI 53511
Hours:
- Monday-Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Call to schedule a drop-off: 608-362-4403
Family Services
825 Liberty Ave
Beloit, WI 53511
Hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Call to schedule a drop-off: 608-326-1244
Family Promise
1006 Bluff St
Beloit, WI 53511
Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Call to schedule a drop-off: 608-363-0683
About A Holiday Together
From December 8-10, participating children, families, and single adults will be welcomed into a festive, community-centered holiday experience at 825 Liberty Avenue in Beloit.
Participants will enjoy:
- Holiday gift selection opportunities
- Gift wrapping assistance from volunteer elves
- Children's gift-giving workshops
- Photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus
- Holiday treats and refreshments
- Family-friendly crafts and activities
- Connections to community resources and support services
Representatives from Community Action, Caritas, Family Promise, and Family Services will be available throughout the event to share information about programs and services that support stability, self-sufficiency, and long-term success.
Volunteer Opportunities
We're looking for caring volunteers to assist with:
- Gift wrapping
- Children's activities
- Hospitality
- Workshop support
- Family photos
- Event setup and logistics
Sign up to volunteer here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/O6UdDi7
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact:
Paige Allen: pallen@familyservices1.org
Together We Can Make the Season Brighter
A Holiday Together is about more than gifts. It is about creating joyful experiences, strengthening community connections, and ensuring that every child, family, and single adult feels valued during the holiday season.
When donors, volunteers, businesses, faith communities, and community organizations come together, we create moments of hope, generosity, and belonging that last far beyond the holidays.
Thank you for helping make A Holiday Together possible. Because everyone deserves to experience a season filled with joy, connection, and hope.