Looking to add some holiday cheer for others?
With the giving season upon us, there are multiple organizations in the city looking for donations and support. Some are organizing toy and gift drives, others seeking cards and cheer for isolated elders. We’ve pulled together a round-up of some of the groups in and around Worcester that are hosting toy drives, holiday gift giving events and more.
1. YWCA of Central Massachusetts
For this year’s holiday drive, the YWCA is especially in need of new winter clothing (think hats, coats, heavy socks), personal care items, school supplies and household essentials (cleaning supplies, paper goods, city trash bags.) Gina Moretti-MacConnell, chief development officer, says the Y serves children, youth and adult females. Other much-appreciated items include multi-cultural books for children, weighted stuffed animals, blankets of all sizes, craft supplies, family board games and grocery gift cards or ride share gift cards.
Donations are accepted through Dec. 15, 2025, and can be dropped off at YWCA Central Massachusetts, 1 Salem Square, Worcester. For additional information contact info@ywcacm.org or 508-767-2505.
2. Veterans Inc.
The Holiday Gift Giving Project reaches hundreds of veterans and children of veterans during the holiday season. Last year, Veterans Inc. distributed 6,000 coats and 5,000 toys, according to Ray Carville, public affairs and public relations manager. He expects to reach similar numbers this year when coats and toys are distributed on Dec. 12 from noon to 5 p.m. at the organization’s headquarters.
“We try to match up the right toys with the veteran families,” said Carville. The organization has partnered with Ocean State Job Lot to help collect the coats for those in need. Veterans Inc. is accepting donations online and in-person and volunteers can sign up online to help with the project at www.veteransinc.org
3. Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
This year, the Boys & Girls Club is hosting several holiday events and expects to offer hundreds of gifts to children and their families. The events are for club members and their families only, reminds Kathy Ogden, officer manager. The club is asking for donations of unwrapped toys, gift cards and restaurant gift cards. Toy weapons are not accepted and Ogden says they prefer to limit electronics. “The needs are so great here,” she adds. The donation deadline is Dec. 12 and all donations can be brought to the club’s main facility at 65 Boys & Girls Club Way. Ogden expects to help more than 2,000 individuals this holiday season.
4. Friendly House
Friendly House hosts its annual holiday party on Dec. 21 from 2-4 p.m., during which they expect hundreds of gifts to be given out to children ages 0-12, said Ivan Guerrido, food pantry supervisor. This year, the organization is not including teens in its gift drive. Toys, games, gift cards, baby items and sports equipment are all appreciated.
All donations must be received at the main office by Dec. 19 and can be delivered Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 36 Wall St.
5. St. John’s Food for the Poor
St. John’s Church once again sponsors its Boot Giveaway. Although it began as opportunity to offer boots to those in need, it has turned into a holiday gift giving event that includes all sorts of outwear from coats, scarves and thermal underwear to socks, gloves and hats. “We usually get around 250 pairs of boots and we don’t have enough,” said Father John Madden of St. John’s. Madden said the church serves a daily meal to nearly 1,500 and is expecting more than 300 people at the Boot Giveaway. “It’s never been worse,” said Madden of seeing how many people are in need of additional services and help this year.
The event is happening on Dec. 19 and Madden said donations are accepted until that morning. Donations can be brought to the Xavier Center (20 Temple St.) before noon and to the rectory (44 Temple St.) after noon any day of the week. For additional information call 508-756-7165.
6. T&G Santa Fund
In its 87thyear, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette again collects monetary donations to purchase gifts and toys for children in need. They expect to distribute gifts to nearly 8,000 children this year, in partnership with the United Way of Central Massachusetts. Monetary donations are accepted online and through the mail. For more information visit www.telgram.com/santa.
7. Elder Services of Worcester Area
This year Elder Services of Worcester Area (ESWA) is launching a new Wishes in Winter initiative to provide gifts for seniors who might not otherwise receive a holiday present. Those wishing to donate can do so through the ESWA website, where there is an evolving wish list posted. Donations and purchases can be made online and continue through the beginning of January. ESWA is also continuing its popular WooCares program, a winter card writing project that reaches isolated seniors with hand-written (and often hand drawn) holiday cards. Guidelines can be found online at eswa.org and should be mailed by Jan. 2.
8. Jeremiah’s Inn
The annual Holiday Wish program provides the men at Jeremiah’s Inn, a residential facility for individuals facing substance use disorder, an opportunity to receive gifts from their own wish list. It also includes the children of the residents as well. Alyssa Danclause, the director of community engagement, said those wishing to donate can choose to fulfill an entire wish list, or purchase a few items or a single gift. All wish lists can be found online and are constantly updated. All of the gifts are distributed on Dec. 18, said Danclause, and should be ordered online or delivered by Dec. 16. For more info go to www.jeremiahsinn.com or deliver donations to 1059 Main St.
Bridget Samburg is a freelance editor, reporter and ghostwriter. She has written for Boston Magazine, The Boston Globe and Yankee Magazine, among other outlets. She can be reached at bsamburg@comcast.net
