Holiday Gifts for Those in Need
(A letter from the school social worker)
November 3, 2016
Dear Parent or Guardian,
The fall has flown by and the holidays are almost upon us! Although a wonderful time, the holidays can also be stressful especially if you are struggling financially. As we did last year, we have identified several local agencies that offer Holiday Sponsorship programs. Their contact information is below. If interested, please contact them as soon as possible as the programs do fill up.
1) Project Just Because
http://projectjustbecause.org/
This program has already and opened and closed a couple of times this year. It fills up very quickly. Check
their website for current availability.
You can self-refer for this assistance and you will need to be able to pick up the items in Hopkinton, MA.
Contact your child’s guidance counselor or the School and Family Social Worker Jennifer Vlacovsky if you
have questions.
2) Toys for Tots/Devens
http://devens-ma.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/Default.aspx
Holiday Help for children through age 14. You will have to request through a local non-profit agency. A list
will be published on this website.
3) Globe Santa:
https://globesanta.org/aboutreq.aspx#request
How to request gifts for your family:
Everyone needs a hand every now and then. If your family could use assistance this holiday season,
follow the instructions below so Globe Santa can help.
Globe Santa does not accept family letters without a holiday gift verification form.
Families who have children 12 years old or younger and live in Globe Santa’s delivery area can submit a
holiday gift verification form from the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) or another approved
agency (Sudbury Public Schools has been approved to provide holiday gift verification forms) .
Follow these steps to request holiday gifts for children:
1. Tell us your story. Write a letter to Globe Santa describing your situation or telling us why you’re
seeking holiday gifts for your children. Do not include a wish list or gift ideas.
2. Finish your forms. Complete and sign your Holiday Gift Verification Form from the Department of
Transitional Assistance (DTA) or another approved agency.
3. Check envelope contents. Before you send your request, confirm your family letter and verification form
are included in the envelope. Letters received without a verification form cannot be processed!
4. Mail your request. Send your letter and completed verification form to the following address by
November 30th, 2016:
Globe Santa
P.O. Box 55820
Boston, MA 02205-5820
4) Other resources:
If you receive assistance from DCF or DTA, ask your worker about other assistance. If you are looking for
additional assistance ideas, please email jennifer_vlacovsky@sudbury.k12.ma.us or contact your child’s
school counselor.
5) The Salvation Army Christmas Castle (**a Boston resource: only open to Boston families.**)
http://massachusetts.salvationarmy.org/MA/Christmas
Families who qualify will pre-register for Christmas assistance which includes; a food voucher for a
Christmas dinner, winter coats for family members, and toys for each child in the household under the age
of 16.
Pre-Registration: October 24th – November 30th
Distribution: December 5th – December 7th
At The Castle at Park Plaza – Pick-Up Times will be Provided at Registration
You will need to bring in the following information:
â—Ź Picture ID for all the adults living in the household
● Current utility bill (home phone, gas, electric, cable and water) –verifies where you live
â—Ź Birth Certificate of each child in your household under the age of 16
â—Ź Proof of financial need (Mass Health Card, WIC, SSI approval letter, Current pay stub, etc.)
â—Ź
Quantities are limited and registration is based upon a first come first served basis.
Please determine which Salvation Army location to visit for registration based upon your zip code.
South End Corps | 1500 Washington Street, Boston | 617.536.5260 | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,
Friday 9:00am-1:00pm
Serves: Back Bay/Beacon Hill: 02108, 02114, 02116, 02117, Fenway/Kenmore: 02123, 02115, 02215,
Central: 02109, 02210, 02111, 02112, 02113, 02123, 02134, 02135, 02163, South End: 02118
Boston Central Corps | 23 Vernon Street, Roxbury | 617.427.6700 | Mon-Fri 9:00am-2:00pm
Serves: Roxbury: 02119, 02120, Roslindale: 02131, Hyde Park: 02133, 02136, 02137, West Roxbury:
02132, Jamaica Plain: 02130
Chelsea/ East Boston Corps | 258 Chestnut Street, Chelsea | 617.884.0260 | Please call to make an
appointment.
Serves: East Boston: 02128, Charlestown: 02129
Children’s Learning Center | 26 Wales Street, Dorchester | 617.436.2480 | Mon-Fri 10:00am-2:00pm
Serves: Dorchester: 02122, 02124, Mattapan: 02126, Hyde Park: 02133
Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center | 650 Dudley Street, Dorchester | 617.318.6900 |
Monday-Wednesday 12:00am-4:00pm and Thursdays 3:30pm-7:30pm.
Serves: Dorchester: 02121, 02125, 02127