S:US’ Holiday Gift-Giving: Fulfilling Wishes, Restoring Dignity
Lux Laurent, S:US AmeriCorps member, Victoria Liou-Gonzalez, Starbucks volunteer, and Minjung Park, S:US Volunteer & Community Relations Director.
December 24, 2024
NYC Service Blog
Melissa Chauca
See the video highlight here. See holiday gift wrapping photos here.
This December, NYC Service is highlighting AmeriCorps host site, Services for the UnderServed (S:US), for their 24th annual Holiday Gift Project. The organization transforms the lives of over 37,000 people with disabilities or lack of resources.
Throughout the year, S:US provides essential services to those in need, including housing, mental health support, and nutrition. However, as the year comes to a close, the organization’s focus shifts from necessities to fulfilling holiday gift requests.
Many families lack the means to celebrate the holidays or give presents to their children, so in 2000, S:US launched their Holiday Gift Project. Initially, 200 recipients received personalized stockings filled with donations from fellow New Yorkers. Over the years, the project has grown, and so have the donations, now amounting to over 1,200.
“This initiative helps people feel seen because it allows them to advocate for themselves for the items they really want. While S:US provides daily essentials, this project allows people to ask for the more fun and whimsical items they’ve been wanting instead of needing. The people on our wishlist can request just about anything which can support their special interests, hobbies, sports or recreations they might otherwise not be able to encourage,” expressed Lux Laurent, S:US’ AmeriCorps member.
Lux has been focusing on collecting wishlists from 60 of S:US’ programs to give gifts to a wide range of recipients including people with an intellectual and/or developmental disability, families in domestic violence shelters and in supported housing programs, and seniors with a disability.
“The oldest person on our wishlist is a 98-year-old woman who is asking for nail and hair care items. It truly shows you are never too old to ‘do yourself up,” stated Lux’s supervisor, Minjung Park, Volunteer and Community Relations Director at S:US.
The project has allowed stakeholders to see people grow over the years; one recipient has participated since he was a young child to now, as a middle-schooler, receiving different gifts for every age. Another repeat recipient in the adult day program asks for a red polo shirt and an Elvis Presley keychain every year.
“When that item came in, Minjung and I celebrated that once again, he would receive exactly what he requested. It is incredibly refreshing to see wishes get fulfilled to a T and seeing the different (or same in this case!) requests people will make over the years,” stated Lux.
While some people ask for specific items, the most common wish requests are gift cards, oftentimes from the teenagers and adults in the program. These gifts allow people to go out into the community and choose what they want, giving them autonomy and independence in their purchases.
Donors and volunteers alike are essential to executing the gift-giving. After donors “adopt” and donate items, Lux and S:US’ volunteers spend a week turning donations into gifts. They wrap the boxes, write cards to pair with gift cards, and finally confirm that each program has their items before packing and sending the presents out. Volunteers understand how lonely the holiday season can be without a support system, and they give back so others can have a joyful holiday season.
S:US’ Holiday Gift Project delivered over 1,200 items this December, but its impact goes far beyond presents—it brings happiness, dignity, and connection. While some gifts may be as small as a keychain, each wish fulfilled reflects the power of support and kindness. This initiative highlights the importance of collective support during the holidays and also serves as a reminder that year-round efforts are vital to helping everyone thrive.
If you are interested in supporting Services for the UnderServed, there are plenty of ways to give back:
S:US is accepting donations for their collaborative coat drive until December 31st, 2024. If you are interested in donating a coat, email [email protected].
Additional donations (e.g. clothing, food, toiletries, etc.) are accepted by S:US year-round.
Join S:US’ Earth Day community volunteer day in April or take part in their Urban Farms volunteer project from April to October.
If you want to check out other ways to get involved, contact [email protected] for more information.
If you are interested in learning more about S:US, check out their website for more information or their Flickr page for more content.
To donate items to other NYC organizations, click here.