The holiday season offers plenty of opportunities to lend a hand and make a difference for individuals and families across Franklin County.
Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) network providers are organizing seasonal giving initiatives, donation drives and volunteer opportunities to help meet local needs and bring a little extra joy to the season. Whether you’re looking to donate essential items, share your time or support an organization doing meaningful work in the community, there are many ways to get involved.
Explore the list below to find a way to get involved.
The Buckeye Ranch
Hope for the Holidays
Key date: Registration to be matched with a youth in Buckeye Ranch programming closes by the end of November. Donation drop off will be Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5, at 4653 E. Main St., Whitehall
The Buckeye Ranch Hope for the Holidays program matches donors with youth receiving support from the agency. When matched with a youth, donors receive a wish list of their needs this holiday season. You can sign up to be matched with as many children receiving mental and behavioral health services as you have the capacity to support.
Complete the Hope for the Holidays Donor Form to sign up.
Learn more about the program and other ways to donate.
Direct questions to hopefortheholidays@buckeyeranch.org.
Huckleberry House
Holiday Cheer Bags
Key date: Gifts should be delivered by the end of November.
Help Huckleberry House fill holiday bags with thoughtful surprises for the young people they serve through its Teen Crisis and Youth Outreach Programs. Each bag is a little reminder that our community cares and that every young person deserves to experience the joy and warmth of the season. Items from the Amazon Wish List, will be delivered straight to Southeast.
After everything has been purchased, volunteers will bag 120 cheer bags for the Youth Outreach Program and 20 cheer bags for the Teen Crisis Program in early December.
Holiday Gift Drive
Key date: Gift drop-offs are scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 10, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. – noon at 1421 Hamlet St., Columbus
In partnership with the Junior League of Columbus, Huckleberry House's Holiday Gift Drive brings the joy of gift-giving to young people in its Housing and Counseling Programs. Your generosity helps make sure they feel remembered, celebrated and cared for this holiday season. On Monday, Nov. 2, the list will become available to sign up to provide a gift for a young person in these programs. Keep an eye on the Huckleberry House socials for the link when it's available.
Direct questions about either giving event to Emily Armbrecht, earmbrecht@huck-house.org.
UMADAOP of Franklin County
Key date: Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Columbus Metropolitan Library – Main Auditorium, 96 S. Grant Ave.
UMADAOP of Franklin County is hosting its sixth annual “The Harvest” Feed The Hungry Project. Distribute hot food, clothing blankets and other basic essentials. At the same time and location, the agency is holding a winter coat drive. New and gently used coats, scarves, socks and gloves can be dropped off during that time frame.
Direct questions to 614.227.9694.
LOSS Community Services
Giving TIME Tuesday: Survivor Care Box Packing
Key date: Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 5 – 8 p.m. at LOSS Community Services, 3040 Riverside Drive, Suite 224, Columbus
Join LOSS for Giving TIME Tuesday, where you’ll pack care boxes for families who have recently lost a loved one to suicide. No special experience is needed, just a willingness to help create something thoughtful for someone who may be having a really difficult day. Giving time is one of the most precious gifts we can offer. By dedicating just a few hours, you can help create a meaningful impact in the lives of those navigating their grief.
LOSS is also accepting in-kind donations to help fill these boxes. If you’d like to contribute items, you can shop directly from their Amazon Care Box Wish List.
Direct questions to Izzy Smith, izzy@losscs.org.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Holiday Toy Program and Wish List Drop
Key date(s):
- Dec. 5, 9 a.m. – noon
- Dec. 12, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Dec. 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Dec. 18, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Dec. 19, 9 a.m. – noon
Please schedule a drop-off day and time for your donation.
The Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s annual Holiday Toy Drop will be at 646 Parsons Ave., Columbus. If you are unable to schedule your donation on one of the designated toy drop days, visit Nationwide Children’s holiday giving page to make other arrangements.
- Have been selected by Nationwide Children’s developmental experts
- Are the things that are most frequently needed/requested by patients
- Have been checked for quality and safety
- Reflect the selection of items we need, helping to keep our storage and disbursement efficient
Direct questions to Kathryn Hickman, kathryn.hickman@nationwidechildrens.org.
St. Vincent Family Services
Adopt-A-Family
Key date(s): Gift delivery will be at SVFS, 1490 E. Main St., on Thursday, Dec. 4, and Friday, Dec. 5.
St. Vincent’s annual program helps provide gifts to nearly 800 children in the community each holiday season. Donors receive family matches, shop for gifts based on a family’s wish list, wrap them and deliver the gifts to SVFS.
To sign up, fill out the contact form to get added to the donor email list.
Learn more about the program and other ways to donate.
Direct questions to Carson Firestone, cfirestone@svfc.org.
Maryhaven
Donation Drop-Off
Key date(s): Drop off donations Monday, Dec. 7, from noon – 2 p.m. at the Alum Creek Office, 1791 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus
Maryhaven is accepting donations that will help individuals and families through this winter and holiday season. Donate new or gently used coats, blankets, socks, shoes, undergarments, hats or gloves. The clients in their care also spend this time away from friends and family, so the agency welcomes additional donations of books, yarn, board games or coloring books and colored pencils.
OhioGuidestone
Holiday Shop
Key date: Donations in Franklin County should be delivered to 515 E. Main St. by Monday, Dec. 14.
OhioGuidestone’s Holiday Shop is a way for the organization to support their clients during the holidays. Staff members shop from items donated by the general public to give to their clients during the holiday season. Unwrapped gifts for all ages are desired, and monetary donations are welcomed so staff members can purchase specific items of need.
Click here to make a monetary donation by selecting “Holiday Giving” from the “I want to support” dropdown menu.
Physical donation examples include toys, clothing, personal care items and winter wear. Email donations@ohioguidestone.org to learn about specific drop-off dates and locations.
Direct questions to Anna Bowersox, anna.bowersox@ohioguidestone.org.
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio
12 Days of Christmas
Key date: Donations must be dropped off at 217 N. Grant Ave. (at the McKee door) by Friday, Dec. 18.
LSS of Central Ohio is hosting its 12 Days of Christmas event, where you can choose one day, or all 12, to support residents in shelter through donations of winter clothing, soap, cleaning supplies and more. All items must be new or unused unless otherwise noted.
View the 12 Days of Christmas wish list here.
Direct questions to Roberta Baioni, rbaioni@lssnetworkofhope.org.
Southeast Healthcare
Donations for People Who Are Unsheltered and Vulnerable
Key date: Southeast is accepting donations to its drop-off box locations at 131 N. High St, Columbus and 3770 N. High St. Columbus until Friday, Dec. 18.
Starting on Monday, Nov. 2, Southeast Healthcare is accepting new donations of hats, gloves and socks for people who are unsheltered and marginally housed.
Direct questions to April Welch, April.welch@southeastinc.com.