Gaithersburg Holiday Giving Program Now Accepting Donations, Volunteers

From the City of Gaithersburg:

GAITHERSBURG, MD - For the past 21 years the City of Gaithersburg Holiday Giving Program has served families in need. The City partners with a number of community groups, nonprofit organizations and individuals who collaborate to help make the holidays memorable for hundreds of local residents.

“Caring is one of the Six Pillars of Character. As the City celebrates 20 years of involvement with the CHARACTER COUNTS! program, we invite the entire community to share in the spirit of giving by supporting the 2016 Holiday Giving Program,” said Gaithersburg Community Services Division Manager Maureen Herndon. “We anticipate serving 600 families at Thanksgiving and more than 1,500 children during the December holidays this year.”

Monetary donations will allow for the purchase of food, clothing and toys. Donations can conveniently be made online. The City is also seeking donations of new books, toys, hats, scarves, gloves and clothing for infants and toddlers up to size 5T. Volunteers who can help provide administrative support to the program are also needed. Details can be found under the Community Services tab on the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

In addition to food and gift distributions, the Gaithersburg Holiday Giving program also assists in the coordination of a community meal on Thanksgiving Day at Gaithersburg Elementary School. A second community meal location is being considered for 2016.

To ensure non-duplication of service, the program operates in conjunction with the countywide Holiday Giving Project, which is coordinated by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. Area schools, social service and nonprofit organizations make referrals to a centralized database, and those living in Gaithersburg are then referred to the City’s Community Services Division for assistance.

Partnering organizations in Gaithersburg include Calvary Pentecostal Ministries Church, Victory Christian Church International, Soroptomist International of Upper Montgomery County, the Gaithersburg Coalition of Providers, Gaithersburg HELP, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Pathways Church, Julie’s Love, and Grace United Methodist Church. The residents of Wells/Robertson House and members of the Gaithersburg Youth Club are also integral to the program’s success.

For more information download the Holiday Giving form online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov or call 301-258-6395 x1.

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