Events Timeline

OUR WORK

The work of Gifts For Teens (GFT) is completed throughout the year by the GFT volunteer committee members and hundreds of community volunteers. Dedicated volunteers work from January through December to complete the GFT project, creating brimming holiday gift bags for at-risk and under-served teens.

GFT does no fundraising events. We rely on donations to meet our goal each year to brighten the holidays for our teens.

January - August

GATHER DONATIONS

GFT Committee members gather donations - cash, grants, and in-kind items and purchase new products in bulk. The committee purchases new sports bags and totes for each boy and girl (link to bags), new sweatshirts, as well as buying store and fast-food gift cards, clothing, games, toys and school supplies. All bags are gender specific, full of gift items chosen for the separate needs and interests of both boys and girls. Clothing in each bag is by size. All clothing like sweatshirts is size specific. Donations are grouped and wrapped as gifts to put in every duffel, bows and all.

September - October

VOLUNTEER

Workdays for hundreds of community volunteers are scheduled to assemble all items and fill every new tote and duffel with over 40 special teen gifts finished with a holiday bow. Some bags are specially tailored to the needs of 18-24 year old foster-care youth and homeless teens

October

DELIVER BAGS

GFT committee members deliver completed brimming gift duffel bags to participating social outreach agencies - Bill Wison Center and Sacred Hearts Community

Service.

December

TEENS RECEIVE BAGS

These agencies distribute GFT bags to teen clients at their holiday gift-giving events for their communities with the help of GFT committee members.