GAPS Gives: 2013 Holiday Gifting Drive Interest Form

    WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING INTEREST FORMS! Submit yours as an individual or on behalf of an organization today. 

    As the holiday season approaches, you or your organization may be thinking of ways to provide services and assistance to those in need.  In our efforts to promote university and community collaboration, we would like to invite you to join us in an exciting initiative to support the Athens-Clarke County community.

    This year, the Graduate and Professional Scholars (GAPS) would like to expand its previous holiday gifting efforts and launch GAPS Gives: 2013 Holiday Gifting Drive.  In previous years, we have collaborated with the Clarke County Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) to sponsor children and adolescents as a part of their Angel Project.  While we plan to continue to work with DFCS this year, we hope to partner with organizations across the university to expand this initiative to aid more local agencies, including the Athens Area Homeless Shelter, Hospice Advantage, Meals on Wheels, Interfaith Hospitality Network, and any other organizations who assist local residents in need.  

    However, we cannot do this without your help!  We are still assessing needs from various agencies, but there are three ways your organization can participate.  

    Sponsor a child: Your organization would receive the child's wish list.  This list will contain information about the child's hobbies, favorite colors, clothing sizes, etc., in order to help you best shop for the child.  Should your organization choose to sponsor a child, please understand that your contribution is the primary (and sometimes sole) source of gifts that child will receive.  While some children list expensive items, we ask that you use your discretion and do your best to provide a memorable Christmas for the child.

    Donate gift cards: Some agencies request gift cards so that the families they service can re-establish independence by completing their own holiday shopping.  Gift cards valued at $20 or more from large stores like Wal-Mart, Target, and Kohl's are requested.

    Purchase a specific item from a wish list: If your organization is unable to fully sponsor a child or donate a gift card but would still like to participate, your organization can commit to providing a certain item(s) from a wish list.  For example, a child may request a set of Matchbox cars and your organization would provide this item to be combined with other purchases from his list.