Are you looking for where to donate this holiday season? There’s no better time to give back to your community than the holidays and non-profits need our help more than ever right now!
We rounded up a list of local non-profit organizations that serve families in need in our community to inspire your family to give to a charity matching your passion or a cause dear to your heart.
(This is a working list. If you know of a donation drive happening in our community, let us know at tips@metrofamilymagazine.com. Last updated Oct. 23, 2024)
If you’d like some ideas of ways to volunteer this holiday season, check out our list of volunteer opportunities in the OKC metro.
Ongoing
OKCPS Foundation’s Coat-A-Kid program provides new coats to kids in need in the OKCPS school district. A $20 donation provides one coat. Send financial donations to Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, 431 W. Main St. Suite E, OKC, OK 73102, with Coat-A-Kid in the memo line, or donate online.
WovenLife, formerly known as Easter Seals of Oklahoma, is collecting classroom supplies for students with special needs. Things like puzzles, play-doh, children’s books, markers, paint, scissors, cleaning products and other school supplies are always needed. They also need infant and toddler items like diapers, wipes, crib sheets and more. You can find their needs list at wovenlifeok.org/
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma provides meals for children and families in central Oklahoma. Drop off donations during regular business hours or give online. For more details, visit regionalfoodbank.org.
The HOPE Center of Edmond accepts new toys and cash donations to help fill wish lists from their Christmas program. Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours at 1251 N Broadway. For more details, visit hopecenterofedmond.com.
Toys for Tots Oklahoma City needs new, unwrapped toys for kids in need. Various businesses around the community are collecting toys for the program, who uses the gifts as a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters. To learn more and find a drop-off location near you, visit here.
Citizens Caring for Children’s Joy 4 Kids program helps provide for children in foster care. Families can donate to help fulfill a child’s holiday wish list. cccokc.org/programs/joy4kids/
Be a Christmas Heroes for The Children’s Center! The center is asking for financial contributions to help fulfill wish lists and meet needs this holiday season. Monetary donation creates flexibility to purchase developmental and basic needs items that benefit the individuality of every patient from newborn to young adult. Learn more at bethanychildrens.org/ways-to-give/.
Each year, Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) collaborates with community organizations across the state to fulfill the holiday hopes of children and youth in state custody. Like all children, those in foster care anxiously await their visit from Santa or dream of that special gift waiting for them under the tree. Oklahomans interested in donating to Holiday Hope efforts this year may browse an interactive map to connect to opportunities in their home county or anywhere in the state. Support can be shown in many ways – shop for gifts on a child’s wish list, donate money/funds for gifts, or donate gift cards for children or youth who request them. Upon clicking the county of interest, a pop-up will connect the donor to their local community coordinator. Donors who are unable to find the information needed or want other assistance should email HolidayHope@okdhs.org.
The Children’s Hospital Volunteers’ toy drive encourages families to donate new toys such as rattles, teething rings, small LEGO sets, playing cards, art supplies, intricate coloring books and $25 gift cards to Wal-Mart, Amazon and gas stations to spread holiday joy to patients and families. Because the health and safety of the kids at the hospital are a priority, all donations must be new and unwrapped. Donation delivery times and locations can be found online. Make a gift online or learn more at OklahomaChildrens.org/Giving.
TEEM, an interfaith nonprofit that works to break the cycle of incarceration and poverty in Oklahoma, is collecting new toys for children with incarcerated parents during their annual toy drive. Needed items are electronics, dolls, art supplies, trucks, clothes, books, games and sports equipment. Drop off donations in person at 1501 N Classen Blvd from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m, Monday-Friday. The toy shop opens Dec. 15 and volunteer opportunities are available. For more information, contact them by email at info@teem.org.
Little Read Wagon is in need of new reading glasses of various strengths for adults and children, new coloring books, crossword puzzle books and word search books. In-kind donations and monetary donations are both welcome. To learn more, email LittleReadWagon20@gmail.com or text 601-667-9151. Donations can also be sent via Venmo (@Little-ReadWagon) and Pay Pal (PayPal.me/LittleReadWagon).
Crisis Nursery OKC provides emergency childcare options as well as additional support for families in need. Most needed items are car seats, baby supplies, snacks, bottled water, Lunchables, fruit and frozen pizzas. Shop their Amazon wishlist or consider making a financial donation.
When Christmas shopping for your family this year, consider buying an extra gift for a family in need and donating it to Christmas Connection. The organization provides a no-cost shopping experience for Oklahoma families in need. They accept gifts of new toys, clothing and houseware items. Coats, underwear and socks are some of their most needed items.
Help deliver Christmas magic to Oklahoma foster children through the Joy 4 Kids program. Sign up to fulfill a wish list for a foster kid by emailing joy4kids@cccokc.org or calling 405-753-4099. Or shop the Amazon wish list to purchase popular gifts and gift cards.
By date
Through Nov. 22
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art invites visitors to participate in a food drive benefiting the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma through Nov. 22. Two collection boxes are located in the museum, at admissions and the theater entrance. Visitors who donate five non-perishable food items will receive one free admission to the museum.
Nov. 14-Dec. 31
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign is a holiday tradition across the U.S. The iconic kettles and bell ringers bring cheer to holiday shoppers and encourage contributions that benefit the Salvation Army’s year-round efforts. Learn more and make your own online Red Kettle campaign at give.salvationarmyusa.org. Volunteer as a bellringer!
Nov. 28-Jan. 1
The Downs family of Norman is collecting non-perishable food and money for the Regional Food Bank. Families are encouraged to stop by to enjoy their Christmas light display and leave a donation on the way out. For more information, visit the Downs Family Christmas Facebook page.
Through Dec. 1
The Christmas Store of Cleveland County is collecting financial and in-kind donations. Needed items are toys, groceries, household goods and toiletries. Donate online or mail donations to PO Box 256, Norman, OK, 73070. Volunteer opportunities are available. Find all the details at christmas-store.org. In a recent survey by The Christmas Store, the most requested grocery items were certificates for perishable food items like milk and eggs. Financial contributions help fulfill that need.
Dec. 2-7
7 Brew Coffee is partnering with the Children’s Health Foundation for a toy drive that will run from Monday, Dec. 2, to Saturday, Dec. 7. The drive will take place at the 7 Brew Oklahoma City-area stands located at 2840 NW 178th St., Edmond and 1617 Garth Brooks Blvd., Yukon. Donate new and unused books, toys, games, stuffed animals, dolls and more for children from zero to 18 years old for the hospital’s families and siblings.
Through Dec. 13
Help stock the shop at Positive Tomorrows‘ Merry Market with new unwrapped gifts for children, teens and adults. Merry Market is a special event where families can shop for gifts, free of charge. Donations can be delivered to Positive Tomorrows on weekdays between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm through Dec. 13. Download the Merry Market wish list or shop directly on Amazon. Monetary gifts are also welcome. Volunteers are needed to maintain the gift areas and wrap presents
Through Dec. 15
Through Dec. 17
Jubilee Partners is collecting gift items for their Christmas Store. Parents and kids will be shopping for their families this holiday season so a variety of kitchen items, scarves, tools, bath sets, toys, puzzles, games, arts & crafts kits, sports equipment and books are needed to stock the shelves for adults & kids. For more information, call 405-822-2250 or email kristen@jublieepartnersokc.org.
Through Dec. 16
Make wishes come true for the families living at City Rescue Mission. Their Christmas Wish Store lets parents in the shelter select gifts for their kids. The community can donate new toys or volunteer to help shop with the parents, restock toys and wrap gifts. Donations can be ordered through their Amazon Wish List or dropped off through Dec. 16 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at City Rescue Mission (Shartel Entrance) 800 W California Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Other opportunities to help include the Twelve Days of Christmas Giving. Help clients moving into housing by donating small kitchen appliances, new coffee mugs, pots & pans, hand towels, dinner plates, bath towels, water glasses, cereal bowls, bed linens, tupperware and silverware.
Through Dec. 21
This holiday season, QDOBA Mexican Eats® in Oklahoma City is hosting “Happy Howlidays,” a fundraiser for the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, on Thursdays, Dec. 7, 14, and 21, from 5 to 10 p.m. at three OKC metro locations. A portion of sales during these hours will directly support OK Humane’s mission to care for and rehome local animals.
Dec. 18-Jan. 5
Imagine going to a vending machine and being able to purchase much-needed food, clothing, baby supplies, medicine or a goat for a family locally or in a developing country. This year, Oklahoma City residents will have the chance to do just that. As part of the annual #LightTheWorld campaign, visitors to Scissortail Park (NE corner) can provide an instant act of service by donating at special vending machines called Giving Machines. With a simple card swipe, individuals can purchase items for people in need both in Oklahoma and around the world. Charities participating in the 2024 Giving Machines are Pivot, ReMerge, NewView, Infant Crisis Services, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, WaterAid and Church World Services. For more information visit givingmachineokc.org.
Through Dec. 23
Red Andrews Christmas Dinner, an annual tradition since 1947, is collecting food, unwrapped toys and coats to distribute to those in need. The organization typically serves 7,000 citizens each year. This year no community meal will be served. Instead, families in need will be given ingredients for a family meal as well as toys and coats. Several donation locations are available around Oklahoma City and monetary donations can be mailed to 2513 SW 124th St, OKC, OK, 73170.
Through Dec. 31
Neighborhood Services Organization (NSO) has a long history of service, fostering new ideas and acting as a prolific nonprofit incubator. Today, NSO is dedicated to the work of providing direct services to those at risk by providing housing solutions, healthcare/dental options and nutritional resources that transform lives. Financial donations make this possible.
Sunbeam Family Services currently helps over 4,000 Central Oklahoma children and families learn, grow, and thrive each year through early childcare and education, with specialized wraparound support for entire family systems, including mental health services, and programming for foster families and grandparents raising their grandchildren. To learn more about Sunbeam’s mission of building brighter futures with all children and families, click here!
This article was updated to include links and information for the 2024 holiday season by Lindsay Cuomo, MetroFamily’s digital editor. If you’d like some ideas of ways to volunteer this holiday season, check out our list of volunteer opportunities in the OKC metro.
