Featured Highlights

16th Annual Winter Gala at the Plaza Hotel

Nearly 500 guests gathered in the Grand Ballroom at The Plaza on December 7, for Volunteers of America-Greater New York's most important fund raising event of the year: the 16th annual gala, a New York Winter's Eve. The sold-out gala broke all previous records, with an impressive total of $920,000 raised to benefit tens of thousands of our neighbors in need.

Thank you for brightening the holidays for the children, families, and individuals we serve!

We'd like to recognize the dozens of companies and groups who contributed toys, gifts, money, and hard work to insure that no one in our care, from toddlers in our family shelters to frail older adults in our case management programs, was forgotten this holiday season. Please have a look at the honor roll of our wonderful partners who shared the joy of the season with those most in need.

Volunteers of America in the News

As the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of quality, affordable housing for low and moderate-income households, Volunteers of America plays an important role on the national stage. Our newsworthy efforts on behalf of some of the most vulnerable members of society have made Volunteers of America a respected voice in the national dialogue about social services, especially during these challenging economic times.

Empowering the People We Serve

A remarkable young woman shares the story of how a filled backpack from Volunteers of America helped when her family was homeless.

They can't do it alone!

As they have since 1902, Volunteers of America's Sidewalk Santas are ringing bells by their chimneys on city streets, collecting funds for our Holiday Food Voucher program. Won't you consider donating online, to help feed your neighbors in need during the holidays?

Operation Backpack

The biggest Operation Backpack ever is complete! NYC Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Seth Diamond and Volunteers of America VP of Development Rachel Weinstein welcomed Toni, a backpack recipient, to our sort space, where hundreds of volunteers pitched in to help. More than 8,000 new backpacks filled with school supplies are now in the hands of children in shelters throughout the New York metropolitan area. Please look inside this section to see a photo gallery of our most successful drive ever.

Bowl to Give Back 2011 Photo Gallery

Bowl to Give Back 2011 was a smashing success, breaking previous records and raising more than $90,000 for the vital social service programs of Volunteers of America-Greater New York. The event kicked off the Operation Backpack campaign in style at Bowlmor Lanes Times Square. Please take a look at our photos of this marvelous evening.

Birthday Wishes

Volunteers of America, Birthday Wishes, and Hasbro Children's Fund partner to bring joyful birthdays to homeless children in our shelters. Generous corporate partners and individuals help underwrite the cost of the parties and provide volunteers, who join in with crafts, games, and even magic!

Bowl to Give Back 2011

This year's Bowl to Give Back was held on Monday, June 13. Corporate sponsors and individuals brought dozens of filled backpacks to kickoff this year's Operation Backpack, and helped break our fundraising record set last year!

Operation Backpack and Paige Davis on CBS New York!

Paige Davis was recently interviewed about her involvement with Operation Backpack, and how you can help. The drive runs from June 27 to July 24. Be sure to drop off new backpacks and/or supplies at any convenient Duane Reade location.

Former Ziegfeld Girl and Husband Leave a Lasting Legacy

The legacy of the late Marion Beard Hutner and her husband Bernie Hutner will long be remembered through the lives of those that their generosity touched, none more so than the over 40,000 men, women and children that Volunteers of America – Greater New York serves each year.

Operation Backpack 2010 - A Success!

Thanks to the participation of over 100 corporate and community partners, along with hundreds of individuals, over 7,500 school-age children living in New York City shelters will return to school with new backpacks filled with basic supplies.
To get involved next year, call 212.496.4311, or email.
See pictures of Operation Backpack 2010

Toys for the Holidays, Gifts of the Heart

The holiday season is here! We count on your help to insure that each of the families and individuals in our care can experience, for at least a moment or two, the joy of the season. Please have a look at our holiday toy and gift drives to see how you can help.

Resources for This Section

  • 16th Annual Winter Gala at the Plaza Hotel
    Nearly 500 guests gathered in the Grand Ballroom at The Plaza on December 7, for Volunteers of America-Greater New York's most important fund raising event of the year: the 16th annual gala, a New York Winter's Eve. The sold-out gala broke all previous records, with an impressive total of $920,000 raised to benefit tens of thousands of our neighbors in need.
  • Donations In Action
    To allow the public to see firsthand how Volunteers of America – Greater New York is changing lives, we are offering tours of our programs.
    Join us for a 90 minute tour. Meet key staff, board members and clients to catch a special glimpse into the "everyday miracles" at Volunteers of America.
    We have completed tours at 2 of our programs. Please check for more information on future tours.
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