This year the United Way Holiday Gift program served 369 families for a total of 852 kids.

Douglas and Pope County parents and guardians are able to register their children 0-18 to receive gifts through our program. Their registration requires information such as wants, needs, child’s clothing sizes, hobbies and favorite color. Their wishlists are then connected with a sponsor. Sponsors shop for as much as they can off of their provided wishlists. Items are brought back to United Way to connect with the families. Sponsors come in all forms; caring individuals, local businesses, service groups, and church partners. All registered families are kept confidential.

Time and time again we see parents requesting things like warm and comfortable winter clothing, hygiene items, new socks, underwear, shoes and bedsheets. And of course, plenty of toys, baby dolls, remote control cars, games, puzzles (even a few bikes!) make their way into our office, filling kids wishlist requests. We love facilitating the connection between families who need help, and those who are so eager to support their children.

Amy Zenner from Geneva Capital shares a story about the impact sponsoring a family had on her own family:

“Greta is in her 2nd year of college and was telling her roommates about her Geneva Capital experience. She and her roommates decided to find an angel tree in Duluth to donate to instead of giving each other gifts. She just snapped me a couple photos and said how it felt so good to give back.  

This is creating more of an impact than just in our community!  It gives us as parents an opportunity to model and educate our own kids.  

So THANK YOU for this program.”

We are so grateful for sponsors and volunteers who helped to make this program possible. Thank you for your support in making the holidays brighter for local families.