What is the Sonoma Valley Holiday Gifting Program?
The Sonoma Valley Holiday Gifting Program (SVHGP) was created to provide a special holiday season for local individuals and families in-need, from Schellville to Kenwood, who might otherwise go without gifts. Truly, “Community Helping Community”. The program relies on donors who generously offer to purchase gifts from the Adopt A Family Wish Lists received.
Who are the recipients of the Sonoma Valley Holiday Program?
Our all-volunteer group works with the Sonoma Valley Unified School District and 15 nonprofit agencies to identify locals in need – low-income families, emancipated youth, the elderly, and those living with homelessness or disability, and they are selectively invited to register for the program.
Who are your Nonprofit Partner Agencies in Sonoma Valley?
The Sonoma Unified School District; Boys and Girls Club Sonoma Valley; Becoming Independent; Brown Baggers; C.A.S.A. – Court Appointed Social Advocates; Family Resource Center – La Luz; F.A.H.A. Finish American Housing Association; Meals On Wheels Sonoma Valley; Nuestra Voz; Parent University- On The Move; S.O.S. – Sonoma Overnight Support; Sonoma Valley Community Health Center; Sonoma Valley Education Foundation; Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance; Teen Services Sonoma; Vintage House; and VOICES – On The Move
How can we become a Donor?
To receive and fulfill a Wish List from someone in need, fill out our Adopt a Family registration form. To contribute to a general pool that will help fund gifts for recipients, submit a Donation form. You may also donate online.
Can I give you a name of a family or individual who wants to be adopted?
No. Families and individuals are referred directly to the Holiday Gifting Program by the School District and our nonprofit Partner Agencies. Please contact them directly.
How are the donors matched with the families and individuals?
During the online registration process, you have the opportunity to request a specific family size, senior, a disabled adult, foster child, adult with a disability, etc. Although we cannot guarantee an exact match, the Sonoma Valley Holiday Gifting Program makes an effort to accommodate donor requests.
When will I receive my Family/Individual Wish Lists?
Once our Application Period is open (exact date to be determined), you will receive your Wish List, via email, within 1 to 2 days of receipt of your Donor Registration form.
How will we know what the family or the individual wants or needs?
Once matched with a family or individual, you will receive your family or individuals Wish List requests. This will provide first names, sizes, gender and ages of the people in the household and a list of items that they requested, including sizes and colors if applicable.
How much should we spend?
A suggested budget amount is $100 per family member (Adult children, up to age 22, who are living at home and enrolled in school may be eligible to receive gifts. Proof may be required) and individuals (seniors, foster, emancipated foster youth (17 -24 yrs. old), mentally and physically disabled individuals, the homeless, and “. . Many of the gifts requested are for basic needs, such as clothing and footwear. We encourage parents to provide toy suggestions for their children and a special gift request for themselves.
Should we wrap the gifts?
No, but please include gift wrap, tape and bows to allow parent(s) to wrap the presents for their children. We do suggest you wrap all gifts for the parents/guardians and tag them with their name(s). Adhere a tag with the first name of the person receiving the gift(s) to each of the unwrapped gifts. Please place all of the gifts in a large black plastic bag with the family’s Unique ID# labeled clearly on the outside.
Where do we drop off the gifts?
We will have multiple Sonoma Valley locations where you will be able to drop off gifts. Please watch this page for updates.
Place gifts in a large black plastic bag. Adopt A Family and Individual Wish List gifts must be labeled clearly on the outside with their Unique ID number.
Can we meet the family we’ve adopted?
No. In order to preserve the dignity and confidentiality, we cannot share the identities or situations of these families or individuals. However, we can share in general that they are children and adults who are in crisis or are experiencing financial hardship, and your adopting them will help them to have a very special holiday with gifts that they would not experience otherwise.
Do the recipients know the name of their donor?
No. Your personal information is not provided to the recipients to protect your privacy. However, you will be personally thanked via the program.
Can we donate money if we are unable to shop for gifts?
Absolutely! You can donate via our Donation form, gift cards, or monetary donations. Donations toward the program could be tax-deductible, and 100% of the money goes to helping a family or individual in-need.
Can I do a gift drive?
If you are interested in the Sonoma Valley Holiday Gifting Program being the beneficiary of your organization’s gift drive, we will provide you with the Adopt A Family Wish Lists requests so that the specific gifts on their Wish Lists can be purchased by your group.
Can I just send in gift cards?
Gift cards are very welcomed. We have new families entering our program every day who may not make the deadline for applying for assistance this holiday season. Gift cards will be used to purchase gifts for these families and individuals. Teens love gift cards and gifts are always in short supply for teens.
Are my Sonoma Valley Holiday Program donations tax deductible?
Most contributions and purchases toward the program are tax-deductible, with 100% of the money going to the families and individuals in-need. Please check with your tax accountant to confirm. If your employer offers matching gift donations to 501(c)3 nonprofits, your donation may be eligible for matching. We will provide you a donation receipt upon request. Our fiscal sponsor for 2018 is Sonoma Community Center, a 501(c)(3) registered charitable organization.
How can I volunteer to help with the SVHP?
We always need volunteers! If you would like to volunteer, please submit a Volunteer Registration Form. The forms shows many of our volunteer needs, or email info@svholiday.org (Please add “Volunteer” to the subject line) and let us know of your interest and availability. We will respond to you within 48 hours.