Monthly and Seasonal Gift Drives

MONTHLY

Stock a Pantry

Many of the residents in our family and domestic violence shelters do not have the financial resources to purchase food and other quality of life items, so they rely on VOA-GNY. Your team can help by donating non-perishable food and beverages to help keep the pantries at our programs stocked for families in need. Program recipients: Family and domestic violence shelters. Budget: Flexible.

Workshops

Our workshops are the perfect opportunity for your team to lend their time and expertise to help our residents develop new skills that will help them to gain employment, stability and independence. Your team can facilitate workshops including, but not limited to, Job Readiness (resume building, interview tips, etc.), Financial Literacy (budgeting, building credit, etc.) and Personal Wellness (mindfulness, yoga, fitness, etc.). Program recipients: All. Budget: Flexible.

SEASONAL

Valentine's Day "Thinking of You" Drive

Show our veterans and seniors you care by donating new gloves, hats, and scarves and writing Valentine’s Day cards with heartfelt messages of support and encouragement. Program recipients: Veterans and seniors. Budget: Flexible.

Mother's Day Slippers

Your team can donate slippers filled with self-care and cosmetic items like lotion, face masks, nail polish, eye mask, and more for the mothers at our family homeless and domestic violence shelters. Program recipients: Mothers/guardians at our family and domestic violence shelters. Budget: Flexible. 

Operation Backpack®

Donate new backpacks and fundraise as a team to help VOA-GNY cover the cost of school supplies for every child living in a NYC homeless and domestic violence shelter. Then, have your team participate in an in-person volunteer event during our "Sort Weeks" in August, when we stuff the backpacks and prepare them for distribution to shelters. Since 2003, Operation Backpack® has provided backpacks and school supplies to children living in homeless and domestic violence shelters throughout New York City. Last year, we provided 15,000 children with backpacks filled with grade-specific school supplies. Not only did these children begin the school year with the supplies they need to do their work, but they looked and felt more like their classmates on that all-important first day of school. Program recipients: Students residing in any homeless and domestic violence shelter in NYC. Budget:$1,000 minimum (can be fundraised as a group).

Veteran's Day Luncheon

Sponsor a luncheon for one of our veteran residences, on or around Veteran's Day, and send handwritten notes as a way to say "thank you" for their service. Program recipients: Veterans. Budget: $1,200 minimum.

Winter Essentials Drive

Your team can hold a drive to collect new winter essentials like hats, scarves, gloves, and coats for individuals and families experiencing homelessness at our programs during the winter months. Program recipients: All. Budget: Flexible.

Sponsor a Holiday Meal

Food is an important part of the holidays and your team can sponsor a meal to help ensure the individuals and families at our programs enjoy a special Thanksgiving or Christmas meal. Program recipients: All. Budget: $1,200 minimum.

Holiday Toy Drive

Donate age-appropriate gifts to children in our homeless and domestic violence shelters in New York City, preschoolers with developmental delays at our Early Learning Center in the Bronx, and teens in our group homes in New Jersey, to ensure that no one is forgotten during the holidays. Program recipients: Children at family homeless and domestic violence shelters, preschoolers at Early Learning Center, youth in our group homes. Budget: Flexible.

Gifts of the Heart

Spread the holiday cheer by donating gifts for the seniors, adults with behavioral health issues (including those with substance abuse issues), HIV/AIDs, or intellectual disabilities at our residences—for many of whom, VOA-GNY is their only "family" and might otherwise feel alone during the holidays. Donate thoughtful gifts such as blankets, slippers, games, puzzle books, etc. Shop our Amazon Wishlists or hold a collection in your office. Program recipients: Seniors, adults with behavioral health and intellectual disabilities, adults with HIV/AIDS. Budget: Flexible.