Some consider the start of November to be the official beginning of the Christmas holiday season. Others prefer to get through Thanksgiving first.
No matter what, or when, you celebrate, it’s never too late to consider donating to families who may need help making magic this season — and that’s where Give A Christmas comes in.
If you start now, saving a few dollars each week or teaming up to donate with a friend, you could make a difference for a child near you.
What is Give A Christmas?
Give A Christmas is an initiative that runs every year in coordination between the Burlington County Times and NJ211, a 24-hour nonprofit referral ser vice connecting people in need with important resources. The annual effort provides monetary assistance to Burlington County families over the holiday season and relies on donations from community members.
“The Give A Christmas program is very important to me,” said Audrey Harvin, Burlington County Times executive editor. “I’ve been involved with it since I started at the newspaper in 1994. The generosity of our readers and the community over the years is just amazing.”
Last year, the program was able to distribute gift cards totaling $49,900 to 411 applicants in Burlington County, according to Rae Duncan, NJ211 program manager.
Ideas to donate for Give A Christmas
Donations can start in increments of just $25 or be made to a custom amount, and your generosity could make a big difference. Need some examples?
Skipping your morning coffee just five times between now and Dec. 24 could mean $25 to help Santa Claus child in Burlington County.
Have a vending machine in your office? Making a pact with your coworkers to skip that $1-$2 treat a couple times this month could mean a Christmas miracle for a South Jersey family.
Even gathering a handful of family or friends to give just $1 could mean the world to a family in need this holiday season.
Donors can visit the Burlington County Times website to submit their donation for the Give a Christmas project.
“The program has raised over $3 million since it began in 1968 and I’m proud to be a part of that,” Harvin said.
Who can receive assistance?
Low-income families with children younger than 18 in Burlington County are welcome to apply to this year’s program.
The application window is Oct. 13 through Nov. 29, and the last day to send all relevant documents is Dec. 6.
While applications are only open to Burlington County families, there is no deadline for donations, and they are welcomed from anyone regardless of location.
How to apply for Give A Christmas
Applying to receive assistance through Give A Christmas is simple and easy.
Applicants can either visit the Burlington County Times for more information, or apply via text by sending “GAC” to 898211.
From there they can answer the screening questions and receive a link to the online application.
Families should be prepared to present proof of residency, income and family size.
For questions about the Give A Christmas program, contact Executive Editor Audrey Harvin at aharvin@gannett.com