Holiday Helper
The Holiday Helper program annually provides gifts for hundreds of children in the local community. Thanks to the generosity of Illinois State students, faculty, and staff, 344 children were sponsored in 2023!
The Center for Civic Engagement works directly with several community organizations to get the names, ages, wants, and needs of local children who attend their programming. The children are sponsored by Illinois State University students, faculty, and staff, who purchase holiday gifts specifically for each child. We host wrapping events to organize and wrap the gifts. Then the gifts are delivered to the community organizations in early December.
Ways to Get Involved
-
1. Sponsor a Child
Exciting news! Sponsoring familes is now an option! Take a look at the sponsorship website to learn more.
The sponsorship threshold is $60-75 per child.
Please note: Drop Off Dates
November 11-15 | 7:30am-8:30am | 12:00pm-1:00pm | 4:00-5:00pm
November 18-21 | 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
All gifts must be returned to NEW Drop Off Location - 308 Kingsley St., Normal, IL 61790 (308 Kingsley is in the same building as University Assessment Services. For reference, it is also the old Civil Service Testing Center).
-
2. Volunteer
Wrap and Pack Parties
Help us wrap all of our gifts! Join us for our Wrap and Pack Parties at 308 Kingsley on Dec. 3, 2024 to wrap gifts and learn about our community partners! Find more information and sign-up on RedbirdLife.
-
3. Donate wrapping paper, gift boxes, and tissue paper
We are always in need of wrapping materials. Aside from wrapping paper, we need to replenish our supply of gift boxes, and tissue paper. Donations can be brought to the Center for Civic Engagement during our regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.