NVFS Counts Down to “Gifting for Families” Holiday Initiative

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(Oakton, Va., November 13, 2013)  In just one month, Northern Virginia Family Service will begin its “Gifting for Families” campaign to ensure that more than 600 of our community’s neediest families will have a happy holiday this year. Overall, the program serves more than 1,000 children and provides 2,000 family members with food gift cards in December. Eligible families participate in one or more NVFS programs for low-income and at-risk families, such as Head Start, Healthy Families, Training Futures, Bridging Affordability, Vehicles for Change, and Intervention, Prevention & Education.

Community support is key to this drive that provides toys and gift cards to deserving families. Individual shoppers, family, civic groups and corporate volunteer teams, and corporate giving efforts form both large and small businesses all contribute to make this program possible.

NVFS’ suggested toy list includes Legos; dolls and action figures; trains, trucks and cars; and art supplies. Shoppers are encouraged to remember infants/toddlers and teens, whose age groups can be overlooked in the donation process. Toys should be new and unwrapped. Please: no stuffed animals or video games with violent content. A suggested toy list can be found at: www.nvfs.org/gifting.

In addition, Barnes & Noble customers can contribute to Gifting for Families by purchasing a children’s book and donating it to NVFS at the Fair Lakes store.  These books, along with the toys and gift cards collected, will be part of the “shop” where NVFS case managers will select gifts specifically for their clients and families.

Donations can be dropped off at 13926 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly (between K-Mart and Babies-R-Us), during the following dates/times:

  • Friday, December 13:  1–5 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 14: 1–4 p.m.
  • Monday, December 16: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 17, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Volunteers are needed Dec. 13-20 to receive, sort and organize gifts by age group, and to assist case managers as they “shop” for their clients. 

For more information about Gifting for Families, please contact Pam Boyle, NVFS community engagement assistant, at pboyle@nvfs.org or 571.748.2537. To volunteer, please contact Navara Cannon, volunteer coordinator, at ncannon@nvfs.org or 571.748.2536.

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