Holiday Giving

Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities at the Van Buren Center


Help us give the women and families at the Van Buren Center a reason to smile and find joy this holiday.

Volunteer to serve a meal or help with meal prep in November or December. Sign up to volunteer in our Santa's Workshop and help families get everything they need to be ready for the holidays
.


From essential hygiene, baby items, food,  linen, and winter apparel donation needs to new toys for our Santa's Workshop, there is something everyone can help with and give to. 

Make a Child's Holiday Magical:
Santa's Workshop

Donate a Toy or Volunteer at Santa's Workshop! The holiday season is a time for giving, and there’s no better way to spread joy than by helping a child experience the magic of Christmas. Every year, countless children in our community face the holiday season without the excitement of opening presents or the warmth of festive cheer. But with your support, we can change that.

By donating a new, unwrapped toy, you’ll be making a direct impact on a child’s holiday, providing a gift that could brighten their entire year. Whether it’s a new stuffed animal, a board game, or a toy car, your donation will be part of a larger effort to bring smiles to children in need.

But we don’t just need toys—we need helping hands! Volunteering at Santa's Workshop is a fun, fulfilling way to give back. Join us in sorting, wrapping, and assisting parents in shopping for toys they give their children directly. Whether wrapping gifts, organizing donations, or helping with event preparations, every moment you spend volunteering makes a huge difference.

Together, we can create a holiday season filled with love, generosity, and joy for children who need it most. It takes a village to make the holidays special, and with your donation or volunteer time, you're helping make magic happen.

Why Donate?

1. Bring smiles to children who might not otherwise receive gifts.

2. Spread the spirit of giving and kindness in your community.

3. Help create lasting memories for children in need.

Why Volunteer?

1. Experience the joy of giving back and being part of something truly meaningful.

2. Make new friends and be part of a festive, supportive community.

3. Know that your time and effort are directly making a child's holiday brighter.

Toy Donation FAQ

Toys do not have to be purchased directly from our wish lists, but all toy donations must be new and unwrapped. We cannot accept toys that are weapons (knives, guns, swords) or overly violent.

Toy Donation Drop-Off 
If you are ordering online and would like to have the items shipped directly to Van Buren, enter the following for shipping: 

YMCA Van Buren Center
ATTN: Santa's Workshop
595 Van Buren Drive
Columbus, OH

All donation drop-offs must be coordinated and approved directly with the Volunteer Coordinator, Katrina Martin-Healey. 

Amazon Toy Wish List

If you have any questions about what age range or gender of toys we are in most need of this list is a great place to start. We always need gifts for teenage girls and boys ages 13-17 years old.

View List 

Target Toy Wish List

Know someone in your network that would be interested in helping donate toys? Please send them our wish lists and link to our Volunteer and Donation website.

View List 

Supplies Needed for Workshop

-Wrapping Paper 
-Gift Tags
-Tape 
-Gift Boxes 
-Gift Bags
-Bows 
If you have any of these items to donate make sure to coordinate your donation drop-off by emailing us first! 

Van Buren Adult Holiday Gift 

In addition to providing the children at Van Buren with a magical holiday experience, we think it is important to ensure that our single adult guests are included and remembered this season. 

We need gift items for our Single Adult Shelter, which includes 210 women and 180 men. Please consider supporting our holiday adult gift drive and collect the following items or funds: chapstick, hand and foot warmers, rain ponchos, wool socks, nail files, travel size lotion, hot cocoa, or gift cards, 

Together, we can make this season unforgettable for children and families in need. Your generosity, whether through donating a toy or volunteering at Santa’s Workshop, has the power to make the world a little bit brighter, one gift at a time.

Join us today and be part of spreading holiday cheer!

Holiday Volunteer Opportunites

Meal Prep 

Dinner Service

Santa's Workshop 

Additional Ways to Help Van Buren this Holiday...

Winter Coats

Collect new or gently used winter coats. 
URGENT NEED:
Adult coats sizes Large-4XL

Give Hope Funds

Donate funds to help Van Buren guests get out of shelter and into housing before the end of this year. 

Hygiene Items

Collect new hygiene or baby diapers and wipes to help ensure our guests have essential day to day items. 
URGENT NEED: 
Baby diapers (size 4,5,6), baby wipes, bar soap, deodorant, travel size shaving cream. 

Meals & Food

Provide a meal for our guests at Van Buren or non-perishable snacks for children, diabetic, and pregnancy snack. 
URGENT NEED: Oatmeal packets, cereal cups, granola bars, and condiments.