Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2025 November)
The holiday season is often a whirlwind of shopping, family gatherings, and celebrations. But for many, it is also a time to help others by donating to worthy causes. If this is part of your holiday tradition, consider supporting these programs and organizations whose work directly benefits your community.
DFS Adult and Aging Division’s Holiday Project Drive
There are many older adults in our community facing challenges obtaining the basic necessities others take for granted. For these people, such essentials are not just needed but deeply appreciated. The Adult and Aging Division of Fairfax County's Department of Family Services is calling for donations of new hat, scarf, and mug sets to create “Bundles of Comfort” as well as hygiene items for this year’s holiday project gifts.
Adult and Aging’s goal is to provide “Bundles of Comfort” to 350 recipients this holiday season. Sign up to donate a “Bundle of Comfort” here: https://forms.office.com/g/HCaVKiLwpJ and/or purchase hygiene items off our Amazon Wishlist - https://a.co/6aUG4ij. For more information, visit bit.ly/OA-Holiday. If you have any questions, contact Volunteer Solutions at VolunteerSolutions@FairfaxCounty.gov or 703-324-5406. Donations must be received by Monday, Nov. 21.
DFS Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program
This annual program helps children and families who are in need of clothing, food and toys for the holidays. Donations support families who are working with Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Children, Youth and Families Division. The program matches generous donors with families to make their holidays more joyful. In 2024, the program’s 697 donors exceeded all previous levels of giving, making the holidays brighter for 1,009 families and 2,190 children.
If your family, business, company, organization or faith-based group is interested in helping to support a family experiencing difficult times during the holidays, consider Adopting-A-Family. To learn more about the program, visit bit.ly/DFS-CYF-VPS-AAFHP.
DFS Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Holiday Gift Card Drive
Help families impacted by interpersonal violence get ready for the holiday season. Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Advocacy Services is collecting gift cards (in $25 dollar increments) for Target, Walmart, Giant, Safeway, and similar big-box and grocery stores. To ensure families have enough time to do their holiday shopping, gift cards will be collected until Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. For more information, visit bit.ly/DSVS-Holiday.
Gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to:
Cecilia Herrera
Domestic Violence Action Center
4000 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 2702
Fairfax, VA, 22030
Fairfax County Police Department’s Annual Holiday Gift Card Drive
FCPD’s Victim Services Division remains dedicated to assisting child victims and witnesses of domestic and sexual violence, as well as those who have lost a loved one to homicide. Many of these children are unable to enjoy the holiday celebrations due to the financial strain on their family resulting from being victims of crime. You can bring holiday cheer to these children by donating gift cards for Target, Walmart, Amazon, clothing stores, grocery stores, and restaurants. Cards can be donated between Nov. 10 and Dec. 19, 2025. For more information, please email Saly.Fayez@FairfaxCounty.gov.
Gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to:
Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters
Attn: Saly Fayez
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Northern Virginia Family Services Toy Drive
Help make the holiday season brighter for children and their families in Northern Virginia by donating new toys or gift cards, or by making a monetary donation. Visit nvfs.org/support/holiday-giving for more information, including a list of accepted toys. Toys must be dropped off Monday, Dec. 8, 1-6 p.m. or Tuesday, Dec. 9, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 3110 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church. Volunteers are also needed to help unload cars, sort and distribute gifts. Email Samara Weinstein at sweinstein@nvfs.org to volunteer.
Other Ways to Help During the Holidays
- Buy A Reusable Bag to Support Home Delivered Meals – Giant Foods has selected the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging Home Delivered Meals Program as a nonprofit partner in their Community Bag Program. For every reusable Community Bag ($2.75/each) sold during the month of November 2025 at the Giant Foods at 13043 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy in Fairfax, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging Home Delivered Meals Program will receive a $1 donation.
- Shop at a Fairfax County Public Library Book Sale – Library friends groups host book sales to raise funds in support of the library’s programs and services. Shop these library friends group book sales in November: Centreville Regional Library, City of Fairfax Regional Library, Great Falls Library, Richard Byrd Library, and The Virginia Room. For more information, visit FairfaxCounty.gov/library/events.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).