PROGRAM OVERVIEW

United Way Lakes and Prairie's Holiday Gift Program connects generous community members with families in Douglas County, Minnesota to help make the holidays brighter for local children. 

Parents/guardians can register children in their care (ages 0–18) and submit a wish list. Sponsors are then matched based on how many children they’d like to support and receive the wish lists provided. Sponsors shop for new, unwrapped gifts and drop them off at the United Way office. Gifts are distributed to registered families during a scheduled pick-up, with all participants kept confidential.

PARTICIPATING FAMILIES

DETAILS: Parents or guardians with children ages 0–18 can register confidentially through United Way’s Holiday Gift Program. Each child may only be registered once. Once matched, sponsors purchase items based on provided wish lists, and families pick up gifts at the United Way office a few days before Christmas.

DATES:

  • REGISTRATION DATES: Nov 10th - Dec 10th
  • GIFT PICK UP DATE: Monday, December 22nd, 10 am - 6 pm

REGISTER A CHILD: Please go to this link to fill out the registration form: 

PICK UP DETAILS:

Pick Up Location: United Way Office, 503 Hawthorne Street, Alexandria

  • No early pick-ups.
  • Please park in a designated parking spot if able. Parking spots will be marked with traffic cones and signs. Spots will be located directly in front of the United Way building and in the parking lot across the street.
  • At pick up remain in your car and call our office at 320-834-7800.
  • The only people allowed to pick up is the person who registered, or the person they designated to pick up during their registration.  
  • Your gifts will be brought out to you. You will be asked to sign a form that confirms that you are the authorized person for pick-up and the information provided in the registration is true and accurate.
  • Please come prepared with a photo ID.

Sponsor A Family

DETAILS: Sponsors are individuals, businesses, or groups who want to brighten the holidays for local children. After registering, sponsors receive a wish list by email that includes the age, gender, and gift ideas for their matched children. Sponsors shop for the items and deliver new, unwrapped gifts to the United Way office.

IMPORTANT DATES: 

  • REGISTRATION DATES: Nov 10th - Dec 10th
  • GIFT DROP OFF DATE: December 15th 9am - 4pm