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How you can shop for Hoosier children and families in need this holiday season

Indianapolis Star - 11/3/2021

Spooky season is over, and it's time to gear up for the holidays.

Many Americans have already begun their holiday shopping — a survey by RetailMeNot, a digital coupon site that tracks shopping trends, found a whopping 83% of respondents planned to start their holiday shopping before Thanksgiving.

But after nearly two years of pandemic-related economic and personal stressors, not every family is getting a head start or even has room in their budget to do much, if any, shopping this holiday season.

Get ready: These are the 25 best gifts of 2021, according to our experts

Do you have a little extra to give this year, and are you looking to spread some cheer? Here are a few ways you can support children and families in need.

What:The Jewish Family Services Adopt-A-Family program serves local Jewish households in need during the Hanukkah holiday. In 2020, the program served 67 families with the help of 787 community members.

How: There are several ways to get involved:

Those interested in shopping can do so individually or as a team. It's recommended donors spend at least $100 per person, per family.

When: Drop the items off at Jewish Family Services (6905 Hoover Rd.) at your convenience or at the agency's Community Day, 1-3 p.m., Nov. 14.

Get involved: To adopt a family or to volunteer, visit jewishindianapolis.org/adoptafamily.

What: The Julian Center serves 6,000 Hoosiers affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and other live crises each year. All families registered for their annual Adopt-A-Family program have been spoken for, but those interested in helping can purchase gift cards for any families that arrive between now and the holidays.

How: Visit the Julian Center's website and sign up to donate a gift card in any amount from the following stores or gas stations:

When: Gifts can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Dec. 9, 10, 11 and 16 at the Julian Center's Empowerment Center Building at 2011 N. Meridian St.

Get involved: Visit bit.ly/2ZK9KqS to sign up to donate a gift card or for more information.

What: Kids' Voice provides court-appointed advocacy services for Marion County youth affected by the justice or family welfare systems. This year, the agency's staff and volunteers will combine gifts and holiday donations to create the Holiday Gift Shop. Gifts will them be delivered to families and children in need.

How: Send gifts or gift cards (in increments of $20) to the Kids' Voice office at 127 E. Michigan St., Suite 500. Gifts can be purchased from the Amazon wish list (amzn.to/3pi7eCH) and financial contributions can be made at www.kidsvoicein.org/donations.

When: Gifts and donations should be received by Kids' Voice by Dec. 1.

Get involved: Questions and Gift Shop volunteer inquiries can be sent to development@kidsvoicein.org.

What: Each year, the Salvation Army connects donors with "angels," or children in need, to ensure they get personalized gifts for the holidays. Shoppers should expect to spend between $75 and $100 on gifts and should include 2-3 stocking stuffers for each child.

How: Visit salvationarmyindiana.org/angeltree and click "adopt now" and follow the prompts until you receive confirmation. You'll be able to select a child's gender or age (if you have a preference) and learn more about them, including items they need, such as shoes and clothing, and something they want, like educational toys or a scooter.

When: Gifts must be returned to one of the following drop-off locations by Dec. 4:

Get involved: To learn more, adopt an angel or make a financial contribution, visit salvationarmyindiana.org/angeltree.

What: The Villages of Indiana is among the state's largest private, nonprofit foster and adoption service providers. There are multiple ways to get involved, including sponsoring a child or children, sponsoring a kinship care family, hosting a new toy drive or sponsoring an older youth aging out of foster care.

How: The most popular way to get involved is shopping from one of The Villages' 12 Amazon wish lists, based on age or gender. There's also a wish list for older youth receiving services. If donors wish to receive a tax acknowledgement, they should include their name and address in the gift message or send an order confirmation to kcottingham@villages.org.

When: The deadline for gifts and donations is Dec. 10. Gifts can be dropped off or shipped to The Villages, 3833 N. Meridian St., Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. or Fridays 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Get involved: Find The Villages' Amazon wish lists here amzn.to/3GvYejw. To sign up to adopt a child or family, visit villageskids.org/holiday-giving-2021.

What: Westminster Neighborhood Services works to improve quality of life for residents on the city's near east side. Last year, 758 kids received toys through the Christmas Basket program.

How: There are several ways you can help:

When: Stockings are ready for pick up by Nov. 1. Stockings and food and hygiene items should be returned to Westminster by Friday, Dec. 3. Baskets will be distributed Dec. 11.

Get involved: To sign up to adopt a child's stocking, visit https://bit.ly/3CqPVDo. Those interested in getting involved can contact Jennifer Harlow at jennifer.harlow@westmin.org or 317-245-6282.

What: Helping Veterans and Families works to provide housing stability and resources to veterans and their families, with the goal of eliminating veteran homelessness.

How: Adopt a veteran or a veteran and their family and shop from their wish list.

When: Gifts must be dropped off at the HVAF office, 964 N. Pennsylvania St., by Dec. 17.

Get involved: To adopt a veteran or family, email Andrea Carlile, Community Engagement Coordinator, at acarlile@hvaf.org. To learn more about HVAF, visit hvafofindiana.org.

You can reach IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at holly.hays@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @hollyvhays.

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