During the holiday season, the Office of Community Engagement coordinates various giving programs on campus so the University community can voluntarily contribute to the distribution of holiday items through programs administered by our local nonprofit partners. Participation opportunities are available this year with InterFaith Works, PEACE, Inc., Sleep in Heavenly Peace, The Salvation Army and the United Way.
Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army
“This holiday season is another opportunity and example of our campus community’s kindness and generosity in supporting local families and individuals experiencing financial and other challenges” says Kathleen Flannery, executive director community engagement. “Whether it is a specific item from a wish list, a basket of personal items or household supplies, volunteering your time or a monetary donation, your gift will mean everything to people and families in our greater Syracuse community.”
Here are the ways individuals, departments, or schools or colleges can help a family in need this holiday season:
InterFaith Works
About: InterFaith Works is a nonprofit organization that provides support and programming for refugees and their families as well as senior citizens, and is the home to the Center for Dialogue & Action, which is a program engaged in organizing efforts about racism, race relations and healing.
Build a Gift Basket: This program offers gift baskets to many of the resettled men, women and families in the Syracuse area community. Recommendations for items to include in the baskets can be found online.
Drop-off Dates, Times and Location: The final two donation drop-off dates are Monday, Dec. 5, and Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon. The baskets can be dropped off to 1010 James Street, Syracuse.
Monetary donations can also be made online on the InterFaith Works website.
For more information and additional resources to become involved, visit the InterFaith Works website or contact Rhonda Butler at 315.449.3552, extension 127, or rbutler@ifwcny.org.
PEACE, Inc.
About: People’s Equal Action and Community Effort Inc., is a nonprofit, community-based organization with the mission of helping people in the community realize their potential for becoming self-sufficient.
Give-A-Holiday: This program offers individuals and groups the opportunity to brighten up the holidays for families in need by supplying gifts during the holiday season in the form of a gift basket or a monetary donation.
How to Register: Syracuse University employees can register by completing this form.
Monetary donations can also be made online on the PEACE, Inc. website.
For more information or questions, please contact PEACE, Inc. at 315.634.3740 or giveaholiday@peace-caa.org.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
About: Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a group of volunteers dedicated to building, assembling and delivering beds to children (ages 3-17) in need in the greater Syracuse and Oswego city area.
Wish Lists: Donate new twin size sheets, pillows and bedding items to the Syracuse chapter via one of the following wish lists:
For more information, resources to be involved and to make monetary donations visit the Sleep in Heavenly Peace website.
The Salvation Army
About: The Salvation Army of the Syracuse Area is a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting human needs without discrimination, and to encourage and empower those in need to reach their full potential.
Holiday Events: Each year, The Salvation Army of Syracuse helps provide Christmas food and toys to nearly 10,000 people with the help of dozens of community partners. There are several ways you can help brighten the holidays for others including:
How to Register: Individuals, groups or departments can register through The Salvation Army website by completing their holiday campaign registration form.
Monetary donations can also be made online on The Salvation Army website.
For additional information or questions, please contact Deanna Delmonico at 315.479.1162 or deanna.delmonico@use.salvationarmy.org.
United Way of Central New York
Photo courtesy of the United Way of Central New York
About: The United Way of Central New York is an innovative and collaborative local nonprofit organization that drives solutions to the most pressing human service community needs of Central New York.
Christmas Bureau Book Drive: This program offers new books to local children in need from newborn to 18 years old. To get involved and make a difference in a child’s life this holiday season, visit the United Way’s Amazon wish list.
Monetary donations can also be made online on the United Way of Central New York’s website.
For more information or questions, please contact Katie Hanlon at 315.428.2200 or khanlon@unitedway-cny.org.
