Donation Drives

DONATION DRIVES

Safe & Sound Kits (year-round)

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, we seek donations for the mothers/guardians at our domestic violence shelters who often arrive with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and in-need of one of the most highly requested donations: infant/toddler items. Assemble donation kits with essential items for the new or expecting mothers at our DV shelters, with items such as: onesies, bottles, pacifiers, socks, bibs, wash cloths, baby lotion, diapers, wipes and formula. Program recipients: Domestic Violence shelters. Budget: Flexible.

Personal Care Packages (year-round)

Collect essential hygiene items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste/toothbrushes, floss, deodorant, washcloths, etc. to help encourage self‐care for the individuals residing at our homeless shelters and supportive housing programs. (No razors or mouthwash, please.) Program recipients: Men's Homeless Shelter Budget: Flexible

Kitchen Kits (year-round)

Donate kitchen essentials for formerly homeless veterans and seniors who are moving from transitional housing into apartments of their own. For most of these individuals, this is their first permanent home in a long time, if ever, and they are starting from scratch. Items might include pots, pans, dishes, mugs, etc.
Program recipients: Veterans and seniors Budget: Flexible

Valentine's Day "Thinking of You" Drive (Jan/Feb)

Show our veterans and seniors some love by donating cozy blankets, candy and writing Valentine’s Day cards with heartfelt messages of support. Program recipients: Veterans and seniors. Budget: Flexible.

Mother's Day Slippers (May)

Help recognize and show appreciation to the mothers/guardians at our family homeless and domestic violence shelters on Mother's Day by donating thoughtful gifts like slippers filled with self-care and cosmetic items like lotion, face masks, nail polish, eye mask, and more. Program recipients: Mothers/guardians at our family homeless and domestic violence shelters. Budget: Flexible. 

Operation Backpack® (July/August)

Donate new backpacks and fundraise as a team to help VOA-GNY cover the cost of school supplies for every child living in a NYC homeless and domestic violence shelter. Then, have your team participate in an in-person volunteer event during our "Sort Weeks" in August, when we stuff the backpacks and prepare them for distribution to shelters. Since 2003, Operation Backpack® has provided backpacks and school supplies to children living in homeless and domestic violence shelters throughout New York City. Last year, we provided 15,000 children with backpacks filled with grade-specific school supplies. Not only did these children begin the school year with the supplies they need to do their work, but they looked and felt more like their classmates on that all-important first day of school. Program recipients: Students residing in any homeless and domestic violence shelter in NYC. Budget: varies 

Halloween Heros (October) 

Your team can donate halloween costumes, candy and festive decor for children residing at one of our family homeless shelters. *Requires commitment to fulfilling a shelter's costume wishlist and providing a costume for every child at the program your team "adopts". Program recipients: Family homeless shelters. Budget: Flexible.

Winter Essentials Drive (November)

Your team can hold a drive to collect new winter essentials like hats, scarves, gloves for our veterans, in honor of Veteran's Day. Program recipients: All. Budget: Flexible.

Holiday Toy Drive (December)

Donate age-appropriate gifts to children in our homeless and domestic violence shelters in New York City, preschoolers with developmental delays at our Early Learning Center in the Bronx, and teens in our group homes in New Jersey, to ensure that no one is forgotten during the holidays. Program recipients: Children at family homeless and domestic violence shelters, preschoolers at Early Learning Center, youth in our group homes. Budget: Flexible.

Gifts of the Heart (December)

Spread the holiday cheer by donating gifts for the seniors, adults with behavioral health issues (including those with substance abuse issues), HIV/AIDs, or intellectual disabilities at our residences—for many of whom, VOA-GNY is their only "family" and might otherwise feel alone during the holidays. Donate thoughtful gifts such as blankets, slippers, games, puzzle books, etc. Shop our Amazon Wishlists or hold a collection in your office. Program recipients: Seniors, adults with behavioral health and intellectual disabilities, adults with HIV/AIDS. Budget: Flexible.