Can you believe it’s almost the holiday season? I say this every year, but it’s still shocking how quickly it goes from back-to-school season to the holidays. To get into the spirit, I’m excited to spread the word about Lifting Up Westchester, a non-profit which provides homeless and poverty services to individuals throughout Westchester County, and their Second Annual Holiday LIFT Campaign.
This giving incentive encourages residents to spread holiday cheer and lift the spirits of Westchester’s men, women and children in need. Holiday LIFT activities will include distributing warm coats and winter clothing, providing 2,000 holiday meals from the LUW soup kitchen, filling and distributing 500 holiday food bags, and wrapping and delivering hundreds of gifts. It will take an army of volunteers to get it done.
How You Can Get Involved with the Second Annual Holiday LIFT Campaign:
1. Organize a food drive and involve your neighborhood, school, religious organization or community group:
Foods needed most are turkeys, hams, instant mashed potatoes, gravy mix, stuffing, canned vegetables, canned cranberries, cake and brownie mixes.
Donate the free turkeys that many grocery stores give away at Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Donate $10-$25 grocery store gift cards for food bags given to vegetarians and families who traditionally eat something other than turkey and ham for their holiday meals.
Donate NEW gloves, hats and scarves for residents of the Open Arms Men’s Shelter and Samaritan House Women’s Shelter.
2. Donate sports balls, board games and multi-cultural dolls for the children and teenagers in the Brighter Futures Youth Programs:
Donate money online at www.liftingupwestchester.org to help fill any gaps or last-minute needs.
3. More opportunities!
For even more volunteer opportunities and ways to give back, please visit: www.liftingupwestchester.org/holiday-lift/
For specific date and timing information on Holiday LIFT activities, please contact the Community Outreach Department via email at [email protected] or call (914) 949-3098 ext. 9735.
