Individuals, families, faith groups, service organizations and businesses can all participate in sponsoring one or more families in need.

Once your sponsorship application is received, you will be matched with a family who most closely resembles your giving preferences.

There is no deadline to become a sponsor; however, an early application increases the chances that we can match your preferences more closely.

Choose an event from the list that works best for you, and we will match you with a family who selected the same event. Once matched, you will receive family information and a gift list. There is a suggested  $75/person limit.

**Special cases**: Some sponsors host their own gift events at offices, churches or shopping centers. Choose 'other' on the sponsor sign-up form and then reach out to us directly to confirm the location.

Consider your budget. Families can range in size from one adult to families with 10 children, and sponsors report spending an average of about $75 per person.

Children and seniors are our main priority, but you may also purchase gifts for other family members, if your budget allows. We always seek sponsors for Adult Protective Services and Adult Guardianship clients (adults 18+ with cognitive disabilities and no family support).

Sign up for sponsors ONLY

As you can imagine, we won’t be able to pull off these events without volunteers to assist us. We will need volunteers to pick up boxes and bring them to our Swinburne location for distribution and assistance for Thanksgiving distribution and holiday distribution day events. We also are in need of donations such as hot chocolate and marshmallows! Those needs are listed in the volunteer link below.

Please sign-up for days you are available to help. We ask that you please not sign-up for a day you plan to meet your family. Also, in order to keep all parties safe, we will need to have background checks done. Once you submit your volunteer request, we will send you a link for the background check. *Volunteers must be 16+.

We gratefully accept tax-deductible financial contributions that will be turned into practical items for needy families, such as gift cards for gas, groceries and household items.

We also accept gift cards for stores such as Food Lion, Wal-Mart, Target and gas stations.

Financial contributions can be made online or mailed in.

Online Donations

Checks and other mailable gifts can be sent to:

Holiday Cheer Project
c/o Wake County Health & Human Services
4401 Bland Road
MD-110
Raleigh, NC 27609

Pride for Parents

Pride for Parents is an annual donated toy and gift sale designed to benefit hard-working families during the holidays. The sale offers quality merchandise to families at deeply discounted prices.

Salvation Army Angel Tree

The Salvation Army Angel Tree provides Christmas presents to families in financial need with children up to 12 years old. 

NC 211 Community Database

Families who are not chosen to participate in Holiday Cheer can seek assistance through the NC 211 Community Database.