FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Catholic Charities Collecting Toys, Gifts, Clothing for Kids for Emergency Santa Program
More Than 40,000 Children Served Since Program Began in 1994
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Nov. 22, 2021): Catholic Charities Community Services is collecting toys, books, clothing and hygiene items to ensure that struggling families will have gifts for their children this holiday season.
More than 900 children and youth up to 17 years of age are expected to benefit this year from the program that has served more than 40,000 children since 1994. Gifts are offered to qualifying families and those participating in Catholic Charities’ foster care, Westside Head Start, as well as shelter and housing programs. Parents also have the unique opportunity to volunteer in the community in exchange for gifts for their children
New, unwrapped toys and gifts — particularly items for teens — are needed and can be donated in-person at Catholic Charities Care Campus, 466 S. Bellview in Mesa or through the Catholic Charities online wish list:
https://smile.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/29MZFMS5ZQWW6/ref=smi_ext_lnk_lcl_cl
Appointments are required for drop-off to ensure safety. For information, call (480) 833-8987.
Gift donation ideas include learning toys and puzzles, sport balls, coloring books and art supplies, teen items, books for all reading levels and clothing items in all sizes.
Staff and volunteers will organize the gifts for families to enjoy socially distanced shopping experiences with all COVID-19 safety protocols in place in December. Appointments are extremely limited and can be made by calling 602-650-4860. Parents are asked to pay it forward by volunteering one hour per child of their time to help the community.
“When you see the faces of the families we serve each year through Emergency Santa, you can see first-hand the impact this program has on making their holidays special,” said Malissa Geer, senior director of community engagement and volunteer services. “We are deeply grateful for the incredible support we receive from the community, both in terms of donations and volunteer hours.”
Since 1996, CARE Campus, formerly CARE Partnership, has been serving the City of Mesa as a grassroots, volunteer-run community center that provides tutoring assistance, after-
school help with homework, job training and during the holiday season, an Emergency Santa program, which relies solely on donations and volunteers.
For more information, contact Catholic Charities at 602-285-1999.
About Catholic Charities Community Services:
Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities provides care for the vulnerable of all faiths in central and northern Arizona through programs in foster care, early education, veteran services, refugee resettlement, and homeless outreach. Housing for Hope, a separate 501c3, is an affiliate of Catholic Charities and provides affordable housing. Learn more by visiting www.catholiccharitiesaz.org or www.housingforhopeAZ.org. Social connections include www.facebook.com/CatholicCharitiesAZ and twitter.com/CCArizona.
Contact:
Jean Christofferson
Catholic Charities Community Services
602-650-4847
