About
Christmas in the City is our largest outreach event of the year, created in 2008 in partnership with HOPE’s Interfaith Coalition, giving hundreds of local families in need the opportunity to choose gifts for their children ages 0-18. There will be toys, games, gift cards, blankets, books, new socks and underwear, and even stocking stuffers! Once the parents have selected gifts, they are reunited with their children who have been making crafts and visiting Santa. Families can enjoy HOPE’s photobooth, receive everything they need to make a holiday family meal at home, enjoy free hot lunch at the event, and the opportunity to visit prayer tables and a variety of local partner resource agencies.
Find client registration info below (Registration Nov 22-Dec 4 at HOPE’s Resource Center)
*When making donations through Amazon wishlist:
How to host a Donation Box:
Host a decorated Donation Box so your customers, employees, and/or congregation members can drop off unwrapped gifts or new toys, stocking stuffers, food, socks and underwear, hygiene products and/or gift cards to be given to children at Christmas in the City. Each box can be picked up or delivered to your box host location with a list of suggested donations, and whenever the box is full, you can either drop it off at HOPE or a HOPE elf will come by to pick it up from you. We will also provide marketing suggestions to help you promote your collection site and include you on our list of collection sites on our website. Please fill out the Box Host Agreement and return it to events@hopehelps.org to register as a Box Host!
Do you have toy donations to drop off? Click HERE to view a list of current participating box host locations!
Sponsorship Opportunities
To ensure the success of our event, we need the support of our business community. There will be hundreds of people in attendance between clients, staff, and volunteers, in addition to a variety of pre-event promotions reaching thousands.
If your organization is interested in sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to sponsorships@hopehelps.org
Donate Cash or Gift Cards
Funds will be used for purchasing needed items that may not have been donated, to ensure each client receives the same amount of holiday support. Checks should be made out to HOPE Helps and can be mailed to 812 Eyrie Drive, Oviedo, FL 32765. Donations can also be made online at www.hopehelps.org. Please reference CITC in the memo line or special instructions. For gift card donations, we appreciate $20 gift cards to Walmart. HOPE is a 501c3 organization and all donations are tax-deductible.
Volunteer
There will be several ways to get involved and a great many volunteers are needed to make this event a success for local families in crisis. Follow us on Facebook (@hopehelpsinc) to see Volunteer sign-ups which will begin in early November.
We hope you will consider participating in this special event to ensure our local children and families in need all have a happy holiday season.
To Register as a Client:
Our services are open to Seminole County residents only. HOPE provides toys, socks and underwear, hygiene items, entertainment, a hot meal and more to registered clients on the day of the event. If you are a current client at HOPE please make sure you know your children’s sock and underwear size when you register.
REGISTRATION IS NOT OPEN YET!
Registration will take place in HOPE’s Resource Center during Pantry hours from November 22nd to Dec 4th.
Pantry Hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays: Open to clients from 9:00am-11:30am, closed 11:30am-12:30pm, and reopened 12:30pm-3:30pm. Wednesdays and Saturday: open to clients 9am – Noon.
If you have any questions about registration, please email resources@hopehelps.org.
If you would like to register your family and you are not currently an active HOPE client, you must meet the following criteria:
1. Be a Seminole County Resident.
2. Any children you register must live in your household and be in your custody.
3. Meet the income requirements for your household.
4. Complete a registration application.
5. Provide the following:
-Proof of Residence for all adults in the home
-Proof of income and SNAP/Food Stamps for all adults in the home
-Picture ID for all adults
-Birth Certificate for all Children
6. Participate in a holiday budget workshop which will be offered in-person or virtually. Sign-ups will be available when you come to bring documents.
If you need assistance printing or making copies of the documents we are happy to help you when you are here or you can send documents to resources@hopehelps.org. Our address is 812 Eyrie Drive, Oviedo Fl 32765.