The holidays can be a stressful time for many families. For more than 20 years, The Arc has worked with the community to provide gifts, wrapping supplies, and grocery gift cards to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their siblings throughout the region. Designed to support families with children who have disabilities, Holiday Giving brings the community together to ensure that every child experiences the magic of the holiday season.
What Makes The Arc’s Holiday Giving Program Unique?
The Arc’s Holiday Giving Program is tailored to meet each family’s specific needs. Families are encouraged to request items that reflect their child’s interests, needs, and abilities. The Arc then partners with donors and businesses throughout the community to purchase the items from each child’s list, before distributing the items to families in mid-December.
“In addition to gifts and toys, we also work with the community to provide wrapping paper and grocery gift cards so families can put together a holiday meal,” said Caroline Slobodzian, Director of Development. “Our goal with Holiday Giving is to remove financial barriers for families so they can focus on each other and enjoy the season.”
Each child receives gifts from their individual wish lists, ranging from toys to clothing, and the family also receives a minimum of $100 in grocery gift cards to help with holiday meals. Holiday Giving provides gifts for all of the children in the family, not just the child with a disability, fostering a sense of inclusion and joy for the entire household.
Adopting a Family: How You Can Help
Community members are encouraged to get involved by adopting a child for the holidays. The Arc’s team collects the gift information for each child and distributes the information to donors in early November. The community then purchases gifts for children, following the specific lists provided by the families themselves. You can opt to either shop for the child you adopt yourself or donate $150, and The Arc will do the shopping for you. With 300 children supported this year, the program offers a powerful way for people to make a difference in their local community during the holiday season.
“I am so thankful and so grateful for the support we’ve received through Holiday Giving,” said one parent. “The gifts we received were a huge blessing. It was a hard year for us, but we were trying to make it work. I had no idea how I was going to give my kids the holiday they deserve, but your thoughtfulness and generosity really brightened our Christmas. This program was a lifesaver. Seeing the smiles on my kids’ faces was such a blessing, and I am beyond grateful for that.”
People wishing to adopt a child or family through Holiday Giving should click here for more information or email give@thearcccr.org.
Applying For Holiday Giving: Applications Open on October 1, 2024
Families interested in receiving gifts from The Arc’s Holiday Giving Program can apply starting on October 1. This is a first-come, first-serve program, the application will remain open until October 15, or the program reaches capacity – whichever comes first. Given the high demand for this program, families are encouraged to apply early to secure their spot.
To be eligible for the program, families must live within the nine counties supported by The Arc Central Chesapeake Region and have a child with an intellectual or developmental disability under the age of 21. Families are required to submit one application per child; The Arc will support every child in the household.
“We’re proud that our Holiday Giving Program reflects the true spirit of generosity,” said Sara Pease, Assistant Director of Children, Youth, & Their Families. “By allowing families to ask for what they need and want, we ensure the gifts are meaningful and impactful. It’s more than just toys—it’s about giving families the opportunity to celebrate together and feel supported by their community.”
For questions about the program or your eligibility, please contact us at resources@thearcccr.org.