Each holiday season, United Way of Santa Barbara County runs its annual Holiday Gift Drive. Over the years, hundreds of local children have been supported by caring community members like you to help make the season brighter for families in need.
In partnership with local schools, community partners, and service agencies, United Way collects personalized wish lists from local families. These children’s wish lists are then connected to volunteers from 70+ local companies and community members who generously share their time and resources each holiday season to fulfill the lists.
We are grateful for the generosity of the organizations and individuals who partner with United Way each year through the Holiday Gift Drive. For many of these families, the gifts they receive through this program are the only ones they will be able to share with their children during the holidays. We are thankful for each volunteer and organization who help to make sure that each of these families can experience a brighter holiday season!
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Through our network of program and community partners, United Way has collected 250+ wish lists from children across Santa Barbara County for the 2024 gift drive. The need this year is greater than ever before, and we are looking forward to partnering with people like you to help each of these families this coming holiday season.
Each wish list will include general information about the child, interests and hobbies, and specific toys or gifts they may have asked for this year. We encourage you to use this list as a general guide to purchase special and personalized gifts for each child’s list that you have been assigned. In the past, many volunteers have also included an optional gift card to general outlets such as Target, Amazon, or local grocery stores to provide an extra layer of support to each household.
In preparation for the holiday shopping season and Black Friday sales, all wish lists will be sent out to participating volunteers by the second week of November. Though there is no financial commitment or number of gifts required to participate in the program, we do ask that volunteers remain mindful of perceived value for each child’s set of gifts if accepting multiple lists from the same family.
All volunteers must sign up prior to November 1st to participate in the drive.
To be matched with a wish list, or for help with any questions about the drive, please contact Allegra Rouss at arouss@unitedwaysb.org or call the United Way office at 805-965-8591.
Community members are also invited to support the drive through a direct donation, which will be used to supplement the gifts with gift cards for families to local retailers and grocery outlets. Donate to the Holiday Gift Drive at the button below.