Individuals, Families, Civic/Service Clubs and Other Groups

Dear Friends: 

The holiday season can be a joyous time for many people. However, for those living with illness, poverty or other hardships the holidays can be difficult. 

How can you help? You can provide holiday cheer to those in need through the 2009 All Wrapped Up Holiday Giving Program, including:  
 

Adopt-a-Family:   Families range in size from two people to large, extended families. If you adopt a family, we suggest that you purchase a supermarket gift certificate, an article of clothing for each member of the family and a toy or toys for the children. You should plan to spend approximately $50 per family member (but please note that this is only a guideline to help you plan - many donors spend far more and some do not spend as much.) 

Heart to Heart:  : If your budget is small or you would like to concentrate your efforts on just one person, you have the option of "adopting" an individual through our  Heart-to-Heart program. You may specify a child, adult, senior citizen or disabled individual. Requests for these individuals include food, clothing and gifts.  Plan to spend approximately $50 for each individual that you "adopt." 

Cash Contribution:  Many individuals and families need assistance with food and utility bills, and many parents would cherish the opportunity to purchase gifts for their children themselves. Your cash contribution will be used to purchase gift certificates or pay utility bills. 

All families and individuals in the program have been referred to us by local non-profit and government agencies that have carefully screened them and confirmed the accuracy of their needs and requests.

If you wish to help either a family or individual, please Click here to download the form   to be completed. Once you have finished entering all of the information, click the "Submit Form" button on the bottom of the form. If you prefer, you can also print out the form and submit by fax or mail (see address and fax below).
PLEASE SUBMIT INFORMATION BY ONE METHOD ONLY TO AVOID DUPLICATION.   

Upon receipt of your form, we will contact you* with names and ages of family members; a brief description of their circumstances; a wish list and/or gift ideas; and the name, address, phone and contact name at the referring agency. Upon receipt of the information, you should IMMEDIATELY contact the person at the referring agency to ask questions about the gift requests and to make arrangements to deliver the gifts to the agency. 

Don't put this letter aside, thinking that you've got plenty of time to take care of it later - we must receive your form by December 4 to provide enough time for processing before the holidays. We begin matching on November 2 (on a first-come, first-serve basis). 

If you have questions about the All Wrapped Up program, please don't hesitate to contact me at 201-489-9454 x118 or demery@bergenvolunteers.org 

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season. 

Debbie Emery, Director
Community Volunteer Services

*Our goal is to respond to donors within 72 hours of receiving their sign-up form. If you have not heard from us after one week, please call the office to confirm that we have received your form.

Volunteer Center of Bergen County, Inc.
64 Passaic Street Ÿ Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-489-9454 Ÿ FAX 201-489-1995
www.bergenvolunteers.org