2024 Holiday Giving Guide

There are many ways to support your neighbors and community this holiday season. We’ve rounded up a list of giving opportunities right here in Fairfax County.

Toy Donations

Our Fire and Rescue Department is participating in the Toys for Tots Campaign. Toys for Tots collects new unwrapped toys and distributes them to children. Collection boxes are located at every fire station in Fairfax County. You can swing by your local fire station anytime now through Sunday, Dec. 15.

Santa’s Ride, organized by members from local police and sheriff’s offices, also returns for 2024. Donate new, unwrapped toys, games, books and gifts to be distributed to children at Fairfax Inova Hospital and Inova Life with Cancer, as well as other children in the community who might not otherwise have a cheerful holiday season. Drop off items at any Fairfax County Police Station or in the lobby of the Pennino, Herrity and Government Center Buildings no later than Monday, Dec. 9, at 9 a.m. Don’t have a gift? Donate online.

The McLean Community Center (MCC), in partnership with Art in Motion Dance Company, will hold a Toys for Tots collection Monday, Dec. 2 through Thursday, Dec. 12. Donations may be dropped into the collection box in the lobby during MCC operating hours. For more detailed information, call 703-790-01231.

Winter Gear Donations

To prepare for the winter season, the Providence District Office is hosting a Winter Gear Donation Drive. The collected items will benefit the Committee for Helping Others, Fairfax F.I.S.H., Northern VA Family Services, Second Story and The Lamb Center. Donations can be dropped off at the Jim Scott Community Center, The PARC at Tysons and Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire and Rescue by Tuesday, Dec. 31. Interested in helping collect donations? Email Providence@fairfaxcounty.gov to coordinate.

Provide Holiday Cheer with a Gift Card Donation

The Department of Family Services' Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Advocacy team seeks gift card donations (in $25 increments) for big-box and grocery stores to support families impacted by interpersonal violence throughout the holidays. To ensure families have enough time to do their holiday shopping, gift cards will be collected until Friday, Dec. 13. Gift cards should be dropped off (or mailed) to Domestic Violence Action Center, 4000 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 2702, Fairfax, VA 22030.

The Police Department’s Victim Services Division is also hosting an annual gift card drive to help child victims. 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. From now until Friday, Dec. 13, you can donate gift cards to help bring a little joy. Gift cards should be dropped off (or mailed) to Victim Services Division, 12099 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035, Attention: Sally Fayez.

Food Donations

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck and School Board Member Mateo Dunne are collecting healthy food donations for Gunston Elementary School. Donations are being accepted until Wednesday, Dec. 4, and go to students and their families in need. Requested items include canned meat, soup, rice and healthy snacks in quantities to feed a family of four. Keep in mind that donating items that are high fiber, low sugar and low sodium not only feed people experiencing food insecurity but also contribute to their overall health and wellness. Donations can be dropped off in the food collection box at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center, 2511 Parkers Lane in Mount Vernon.

Adopt or Support Neighbors in Need

The Department of Family Services’ Adopt-a-Family Holiday program is taking donations through Tuesday, Dec. 13, for families in the Annandale and South County areas who need help during the holiday season. Most individual families have already been adopted, but if you would still like to help, the program is accepting gift cards and new baby items (infant or toddler car seats, stationary and portable cribs, diapers and wipes, highchairs). Monetary donations are also welcome. To find out how you can help this holiday season and throughout the year, contact Samantha Carrico, 571-536-8192. Sign up online to adopt a family for the holidays or check out our Amazon wish list to help meet the basic needs of local families.

Help make a positive impact this holiday season for older adults and adults with disabilities in our community. Department of Family Services is seeking donations of hygiene items to include in holiday project gifts. Each donation serves as a heartfelt reminder that our community cares. Use the online wish list to donate by Monday, Dec. 2. Learn more. Call 703-324-6898 with questions.