City Seeks Donations, Volunteers for Holiday Sharing Program

Alexandria's Community and Human Services Department is seeking the public's help to make this holiday season brighter for low income families, foster children, and senior or disabled citizens by participating in the city’s Holiday Sharing Program.

Individuals and groups take part in the program by purchasing gifts or certificates for a designated Alexandria family, foster child or elderly/disabled resident. Gifts may be delivered directly to recipients or brought to the City’s Human Services Center at 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue for distribution by staff.

More families are registering for the 2011 Holiday Sharing Program than in 2010, due to the increased number receiving benefits as a result of lower incomes.

In 2010, in collaboration with the non-profit organization Community Partners for Children, the DCHS Holiday Sharing Program assisted 639 families, 193 seniors and disabled persons, and 128 foster children and teens.

In addition to thousands of gift items distributed through Sponsor-a-Family, Sponsor-a-Senior-Citizen and Sponsor-a-Foster Child, donors also gave a total of $14,800 in gift certificates through the Sponsor-a-Teen program and $13,700 in grocery cards for seniors and families.

Community and Human Services is also seeking volunteers to help sort and deliver gifts at the Human Services Center on Dec. 12, 13, 14 and 15 in shifts from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Individuals, families and groups can request more information about the program by contacting Suzanne Kratzok at 703-746-5663, or emailing holidaysharing@alexandriava.gov or register to participate at the website www.alexandriava.gov/holidaysharing.