Celebrating 40 Years with 40 Cheers for the Holidays!
The holidays are a time to reflect with gratitude and consider how we can share our gifts and blessings with family, friends, and neighbors. These grantmaking opportunities highlight a curated group of inspiring nonprofits, each working on heartwarming holiday projects— from festive experiences to meals and gifts—that bring joy and comfort to our community.
Your generosity will help spread cheer, foster memories and promote well-being during this magical season.
To support these impactful nonprofits through your fund, please contact your fund representatives, Amanda Kah or Jasmine Lewis Fontus or visit the donor portal (click here).
AMIkids Greater Ft. Lauderdale
AMIkids Holiday Bliss
AMIkids' is a nonprofit that offers a holistic approach to serving juveniles that integrates education, workforce development, and behavior training. This approach has led to an 80% success rate among program participants.
AMIkids' Holiday Bliss project aims to create a joyful holiday celebration for at-risk youth and families through a lively carnival-style event featuring games, activities, and festive experiences. The event will include holiday meals, gift baskets and a showcase of the skills learned by AMIkids, including a food truck run by the AMIkids.
www.amikids.org
AMIkids aims to fundraise $10,000 to bring this holiday event to life.
Art Prevails Project I Art Kwanzaa
www.artprevailsproject.org
Art Prevails Project strives to enrich the lives of youth and adults through creative arts, poetry, and performance workshops. Art Prevails presents, I Art Kwanzaa, a week-long community event and holiday celebration honoring the cultural heritage of Kwanzaa. Designed to bring families in the local communities together, this festive experience will offer original performances, interactive art workshops, cultural cuisine, and panel discussions. I Art Kwanzaa will be held at in Broward County— The Old Dillard Museum, The Circuit at Destination Sistrunk and the African American Research Library and Cultural Center—from December 26, 2024, to January 1, 2025. Art Prevails needs an additional has raised $12,000 to support their efforts.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County Ice Skating & Inspiration: BBBS Holiday Bash
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County (BBBS) is dedicated to creating and supporting oneto-one mentoring relationships that ignite the potential of youth, empowering young people, changing perspectives, and strengthening communities. Their Ice Skating & Inspiration: BBBS Holiday Bash is a heartwarming celebration designed to bring together mentors, mentees and their families, strengthening mentor-mentee relationships. Held at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, this festive event will feature ice skating, food, engaging activities, and sponsor booths. Families will also receive holiday gift cards, combining joy with meaningful engagement.
www.bbbsbroward.org
BBBS is seeking additional funding up to $30,000. Your donation will help serve 250 kids.
Black Genius in Flight Chocolate Ice Wonderland
www.BlackGeniusinFlight.org
Black Genius in Flight empowers underserved youth through inclusive STEAM education and celebrates African American culture, fostering artistic excellence and community pride. Their Chocolate Ice Wonderland project is a magical celebration that promotes mental wellness and connection during holidays. This event offers a supportive, judgment-free space with chocolatethemed entertainment, wellness resources, and self-care installations led by practitioners, providing tools to manage holiday isolation and stress. Additionally, BGIF will host a toy drive for the Red School House and donate to a local mental health organization.
BGIF is fundraising $30,000 to continue offering this impactful holiday celebration.
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Holiday Magic
Bonnet House's mission is to celebrate the story of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett by preserving its art, history, and nature while providing inspiration and respite for all. In alignment with this mission, the Holiday Magic offers a week-long celebration. Volunteer designers craft original themed décor, including trees, wreaths and centerpieces, which adorn the courtyard and exhibit rooms. The event begins with an opening night soirée featuring delicious food and holiday entertainment, followed by family-friendly activities like "Whimsical Wonderland" with Santa, live performances jazz, carolers, and an Elvis tribute.
www.bonnethouse.org
Your gift of $5,000 is needed to help Bonnet House continuate this cherished community event.
Broward Partnership for the Homeless Breaking Bread, Breaking Barriers
www.bphi.org
Broward Partnership helps individuals and families overcome homelessness through comprehensive support services and restores hope, independence, and self-sufficiency. One of its impactful initiatives, the Breaking Bread, Breaking Barriers program, provides holiday meals, gift baskets, and groceries to youth, families, and seniors experiencing homelessness, affirming their dignity and fostering a sense of belonging and reducing isolation. Through shared meals, social connections grow, breaking down barriers in the fight against homelessness. The program’s mission is to provide comfort to clients who may be far from their own families during this time.
To bring warmth and joy to those in need, Broward Partnership is seeking $2,000 in support.
Broward Public Library Foundation Books 'n' Bears at the Holidays
The Broward Public Library Foundation supports programs and services at Broward County Library that enrich the entire community. One cherished initiative, Books 'n' Bears at the Holidays, brings holiday joy and promotes early literacy by providing gifts and a festive experience for children from low-income families. Over its 37year history, this program has distributed more than 44,000 books and teddy bears at holiday events across Broward County. This initiative fosters a love of reading, builds home libraries, and encourages families to sign up for library cards.
www.bplfoundation.org
Library Foundation is seeking $12,300 to reach more children for years to come.
Camp Boggy Creek
Camp Boggy Creek Express
www.boggycreek.org
Camp Boggy Creek (CBC) offers a supportive retreat for children with serious medical illnesses and their families, providing 90,000+ campers with a free, life-changing experience. Each December, the camp hosts the Best Party on Earth, a holiday celebration that unites over 1,500 children, family members, and volunteers across its beautiful 232 acres. CBC launched Camp Boggy Creek Express to ensure that families unable to travel due to hospitalizations or illness can also participate in the festivities. This initiative will deliver care packages filled with craft projects, special gifts, and grocery gift cards directly to patients and their families at the Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health.
Camp Boggy Creek is fundraising $7,500 to cover the costs of these gifts and meals.
Center for Hearing and Communication
Cherished Holiday Cheers (CHC)
The Center for Hearing and Communication offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to hearing healthcare through specialized clinical and support services for all ages. One of its initiatives, the Cherished Holiday Cheers (CHC) project, aims to bring joy and connection to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community during the festive season. The CHC project enhances the popular Signing Santa Family Fun Day (co-sponsored by the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind and Broward County Libraries). Attendees will enjoy ASL-signed stories, art projects and games. To ensure families can celebrate together, CHC will provide each child with a special holiday gift and a $5 voucher for meals from on-site food trucks and host a catered holiday meal for 25 DHH seniors who may be spending the holidays alone.
www.chchearing.org
The Center is seeking $5,000 in funding to create these meaningful experiences.
Community Church of God Holiday Community Outreach Program
www.communitycog.org
Community Church of God fosters a welcoming environment that offers various programs for all ages, including Bible studies, youth groups, and community outreach, all aimed at building a vibrant community grounded in God's love. Their Holiday Community Outreach Program, includes a food bank that supplies 35-50 families with nutritious groceries, helping to ease their financial burdens and support their well-being. The program also spreads holiday cheer with annual Thanksgiving boxes filled with groceries and turkeys, offering comfort to those who might otherwise go without. These services uplift individuals and foster a sense of community, offering hope and stability during challenging times.
Covenant House Florida Holidays for Homeless Youth
Covenant House provides love, shelter, and hope to young people facing homelessness and trafficking through immediate and long-term support services. One of its initiatives, the Holidays for Homeless Youth project, aims to bring joy to homeless youth ages 18 -22, including young mothers and their children during the holidays. Covenant House offers food, safety, shelter, and various programs such as Career Education Navigation and Mental Health Services. Many of these young individuals lack positive role models and face financial hardships, making the holiday season particularly challenging. Teens receive a special Christmas meal and gifts tailored their needs.
www.covenanthouse.org
This year, Covenant House Florida is fundraising up to $15,000 to make the holidays special.
Deerfield Beach Community Cares Holiday Happiness Project
www.dfbcommunitycares.org
The Deerfield Beach Community Cares operates on a collective impact model to support residents through collaboration and inclusion, promoting wellness and sustainable improvements for a diverse, equitable, and vibrant community. To further this mission, the Deerfield Beach Community Cares’ Holiday Happiness Project, in partnership with the City of Deerfield Beach and the Deerfield Beach BSO Substation, will host its annual pre-Thanksgiving community meal at Oveta Mckeithen Park, on November 21, 2024. Over 200 residents will have a delicious meal. Additionally, the project will support the BSO's Harvest Drive by providing full Thanksgiving meals over 50 families. Holiday support will also extend to 96 families in the Stanley Terrace Community and fixed-income seniors in the Palms Community, offering food parcels and gifts.
The Deerfield Beach Community Cares is fundraising up to $27,000 support 96 additional families.
Dr.
Stanley and Pearl Goodman JFS of Broward Project: Holiday Happiness Project
Goodman JFS of Broward County, Inc. empowers individuals and strengthens families through innovative social services based on Jewish values, offering support to diverse clients facing daily challenges. Their Holiday Happiness Project is a cherished annual celebration for Holocaust survivors in December, honoring the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Hosted at Cafe Europa, this warm gathering features engaging activities like guest speakers, musical performances, and social interaction to promote emotional well-being. Additionally, Cafe Europa serves as a platform for Holocaust remembrance and education, allowing survivors to share their stories and ensuring their experiences are preserved for future generations.
www.jfsbroward.org
Your donation to GJF of up to $20,000 is vital to celebrating Holocaust survivors.
Friendship Circle of Greater Fort Lauderdale Holiday Gifts for Children with Special Needs
www.friendshipfl.org
The Friendship Circle, the fastest-growing organization for children with special needs, fosters friendships between these children and teen volunteers, empowering them through enriching shared experiences. This spirit of connection continues with the Holiday Gifts for Children with Special Needs project, which spreads joy through its Holiday Happiness Gift Project. Acknowledging that friendship can be elusive for children with special needs, the initiative provides $35 gift bags to 200 deserving children. Volunteers will help pack the gifts, promoting inclusion and empowerment, with each of the 10 participants receiving a $10 per hour bonus. Volunteers oversee the packing process culminating in December when gifts will be distributed across the Broward community.
The Friendship Circle is fundraising $8,000. Help make a lasting impact.
FW4K Enterprise Inc, DBA Fiywize 4 Kids
The Santa Claus for a Cause
Fitwize aims to empower today’s and tomorrow’s youth by teaching them the lifelong benefits of fitness, proper nutrition, and healthy living. To further this mission, the Santa Claus for a Cause project spreads holiday cheer to underserved families and children facing financial difficulties in Coral Springs and Pompano Beach. Recognizing that the holiday season can be particularly challenging, this initiative ensures that every child experiences the magic of Christmas. A dedicated volunteer dressed as Santa Claus will personally visit homes to bring smiles and deliver carefully selected gifts. The project also emphasizes the importance of "Children Helping Children," encouraging those who can give back to share their blessings and generosity. Volunteers play a crucial role in the project's success, assisting with gift collection, wrapping, and Santa visits while coordinating logistics. Over the past seven years, the initiative has reached hundreds of families.
www.fitwize4kids.com
Your gift can help! Santa Claus for a Cause needs $4,000.
Handy, Inc.
Handy Holidays
www.handyinc.org
At Handy, they believe that creating lasting positive change for at-promise youth and their families empowers over 50,000 individuals to take control of their narratives and build a selfsufficient future. Their Handy Holidays brings joy and smiles to youth in the foster care system and their families during the challenging holiday season. This initiative will provide holiday gifts, food baskets, festive parties, and a shopping experience for 400 youths in Broward County. Each child will receive a gift card for a fun-filled shopping trip to choose their desired toys. In partnership with FreshPoint, families will also receive holiday meal boxes. To culminate the season, a holiday party will feature a special delivery from Santa. Volunteers are crucial to the success of this project, assisting youth during the shopping spree, wrapping gifts and serving meals at the holiday party.
Handy can do more with more funding! Donations up to $10,000 would make a difference.
Heart Gallery, Inc
Heart Filled Holiday Party
The Heart Gallery of Broward is committed to promoting the adoption and enrichment of foster youth through innovative programs that recruit adoptive families, enhance youth lives with engaging activities and provide family support services to prevent adoption breakdowns. This year, the Heart Filled Holiday Party offers a sense of belonging among youth in foster care by curating personalized gifts that align with their interests. Held at the Panthers' ice-skating rink, the event will feature games and activities to create a joyful holiday atmosphere. Each youth will receive gifts based on their wish lists along with $100 Amazon gift cards. Although some funding from the Children's Services Council has been secured, it does not fully cover the costs for all youth, including those unable to attend. Additionally, this project has transitioned from support by a local church to a self-funded model over the past two years.
www.heartgalleryofbroward.org
All donations will help them reach their $10,000 goal.
Henderson Behavioral Health, Inc.
www.hendersonbh.org
The Angel Tree
Henderson Behavioral Health supports over 30,000 individuals annually in Florida with healthcare, housing, and hope for those facing behavioral health conditions, empowering them to reclaim their lives through care, employment support, advocacy, and housing services. The Angel Tree project aims to foster joy and belonging during the holiday season by providing gifts for youth and families in need. With 47% of South Florida families struggling financially and many children depending on community support, this initiative is more critical than ever. The Angel Tree program matches children with donors who fulfill their holiday wish lists, ensuring that each child receives thoughtful, age-appropriate gifts. This year, the project plans to support 300 children, focusing on those often overlooked by traditional toy drives.
You can help bring smiles to 200 more children this holiday season with $5,000.
Holmes Helping Hands, Inc. Bringing Smiles to Families
Holmes Helping Hands (HHH) is avidly working to make a lifelong difference for young adults by providing services, including support groups, financial literacy, public speaking, mentoring, job placement, and transitional housing support. Their Bringing Smiles to Families holiday celebration will support 40 families identified as homeless through the Broward County School Board’s Homeless Education Assistance Resource Team (HEART) program, bringing together families from elementary schools with high HEART participation for a festive event filled with warmth, delicious food, music, and dancing. This gathering of the community creates lasting joyful memories, and each family will receive a $200 Walmart gift card to purchase essentials and toys for their children, with transportation provided to ensure accessibility for all participants.
www.holmeshelpinghandsinc.org
Your support of up to $10,000 will help spread holiday cheer to families in need.
Cross Health Christmas Comfort Campaign
www.holy-cross.com
Holy Cross Health, a mission-driven and innovative organization, is committed to becoming a national leader in community health and a trusted lifelong health partner. The Christmas Comfort Campaign aims to bring holiday cheer to patients, families, and staff at Holy Cross Hospital. After last year's disposal of deteriorating Christmas trees left the main lobby and other areas less festive, this year, new trees will be placed in high-traffic locations like the main lobby, Cancer Center, and Healthplex to create a warm, welcoming environment. These decorations will enhance the hospital's annual events, including the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Hanukkah Menorah Lighting, uplifting the spirits of patients and their families during difficult times.
Holy Cross Health is fundraising $5,000 to purchase and decorate reusable Christmas trees.
Holy
Hued Songs, Inc.
Soulful Christmas
Hued Songs amplify Black joy, creativity, and belonging by providing a platform for Black and Brown artists to be seen, heard and paid while removing barriers to the arts and fostering empathy, community, and inclusion through every performance. Soulful Christmas at the African American Research Library & Cultural Center offers a vibrant holiday experience for youth, families and seniors of Sistrunk and Fort Lauderdale. This musical journey, featuring gospel, soul, and spirituals performed by local artists, strengthens community spirit through live performances, reinforcing that the arts should be accessible to all. As a free annual event, Soulful Christmas aims to establish a cherished holiday tradition in Broward County, with volunteers assisting in production support and community outreach over the four weeks leading up to the celebration.
www.huedsongs.org
An additional $13,000 will ensure the continuation of this cherished holiday celebration.
Illuminate Heart, Inc.
Music, Movement & Freedom Holiday Happiness Concert
www.illuminateheart.org
Illuminate Heart, Inc. empowers young adults with developmental disabilities, aged 18 to 40, by fostering confidence and social skills through therapeutic music and community programs at the Southwest Focal Point Community Center. A key highlight is the Music, Movement & Freedom Holiday Happiness Concert, featuring a percussion ensemble of young adults with special needs alongside a choir from The Southwest Focal Point Senior Center. This event allows participants to express themselves, gain confidence, and share their talents, promoting belonging and holiday cheer. Last year’s concert attracted over 200 attendees, demonstrating its positive impact on participants’ self-esteem and social skills while strengthening community ties.
Illuminate Heart needs $5,500 to sustain this uplifting tradition in the community.
JAFCO Holiday Gift Drive
JAFCO's mission is to provide care, safety, and support to children and families affected by abuse, neglect, trauma or developmental disabilities. Their comprehensive services include foster care, adoption, family preservation and developmental disability programs. Aligned with this mission, the Holiday Gift Drive brings joy and a sense of family to children in care who have experienced trauma, allowing those residing at the Village or in foster homes to create personal wish lists. Since 1992, this annual project has relied on community support to create a festive, loving experience for these children, fostering a sense of holiday happiness and belonging throughout December. Each year, JAFCO provides gifts to 50 children, from infants to teenagers.
www.jafco.org
$10,000 would to continue this meaningful holiday tradition, impacting more families.
Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation Holiday Heroes Breakfast
www.jjccf.org
Jessica June's Children’s Cancer Foundation is dedicated to supporting families grappling with the immediate medical, emotional and financial crises that accompanies a childhood cancer diagnosis by providing emergency financial assistance for basic necessities and supportive care services. In this spirit, the Holiday Heroes Breakfast offers a joyful respite for 100 local families whose children are battling cancer, creating lasting memories through a festive gathering that includes breakfast, holiday gifts from Santa and engaging activities like face painting and wreath decorating. Over the past eight years, this special event, in partnership with BBX Capital and Neighbors 4 Neighbors, gives 50 low-income families with $250 Amazon gift cards to purchase presents for their children and siblings, helping to instill a sense of normalcy and joy during the holiday season.
Jessica June is currently fundraising for $12,500.
Junior Achievement of South Florida A Symphony of Possibilities
Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) equips youth with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to navigate their futures, drive economic growth, and lead their communities. JA’s A Symphony of Possibilities project, a collaboration with the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, offers 60 underserved high school students and their families a transformative holiday experience. These students, from Title I schools, will attend the Symphony's Handel's Messiah and Holiday Pops concert. This is often some student’s first exposure to a live orchestral. The evening will also include a backstage tour, for students to engage with symphony members to learn about careers in the arts. This initiative aspires to ignite a lifelong passion for music while showcasing the vast possibilities within creative industries, career exploration and personal growth through a festive celebration of music.
www.jasouthflorida.org
Junior Achievement is seeking $9,500 to bring this unique holiday arts experience to life.
Lighthouse of Broward County LHOB Adult Client Holiday Party
www.lhob.org
The Lighthouse of Broward is the leading resource for the visually impaired in Broward County, offering rehabilitation, life skills training and employment opportunities that enhance the independence and dignity of children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. Sixty-eight percent of clients live below poverty. To celebrate the holiday season and combat social isolation, the LHOB Adult Client Holiday Party provides a joyful gathering for seniors facing visual impairments, fostering a sense of community and holiday cheer. Participants will enjoy a sit-down lunch, adapted games, and dancing along with tailored holiday gifts that cater to their needs. Hosted at Galuppis for the past seven years, the party continues to expand its activities and increase participation each year.
$5,000 is essential to support this important initiative. They can do more with more!
Mobile School Pantry (MPS) 12th Annual Gobble Giveaway
Mobile School Pantry (MSP) provides nutritious groceries to low-income schools in South Florida. MSP is committed to creating a hunger-free future where all families have access to healthy, culturally appropriate food to thrive. The 12th Annual Gobble Giveaway further supports this mission by ensuring families facing economic challenges receive groceries and fresh produce for Thanksgiving. Spanning 13 school sites and impacting five elementary schools in Broward County, including West Hollywood and Pompano Beach Elementary, the Gobble Giveaway has reached 5,839 families since its inception 11 years ago. This year families will receive 15 pantry staples, 20+ fresh produce items (sweet potatoes, corn, and berries) and a $25 gift card to buy protein.
www.mobileschoolpantry.org
MPS is seeking donations of up-to $5,000 to reduce hunger this holiday season.
Neighbors 4 Neighbors
www.neighbors4neighbors.org
Adopt a Family 4 the Holidays A gift of $2,000 will help Neighbors 4 Neighbors keep this tradition going.
Neighbors 4 Neighbors (N4N) connects those in need with those who can help by leveraging resources, collaborating with service providers to empower individuals to use their talents, time and money for the benefit of others. A prime example of this mission is the Adopt a Family 4 the Holidays program, which provides holiday gifts and essential support to vulnerable youth, families and seniors by partnering with over 40 local non-profit organizations, offering assistance during the holidays. This initiative has been a staple of holiday giving in South Florida for over 32 years. Serving 800 families in 2023 alone, with a total of $480,000 in holiday assistance, enhancing the overall spirit of togetherness in the community.
Old
Dillard Foundation Kwanzaa Celebration
The Old Dillard Foundation supports the historic Old Dillard Museum, through impactful programming, fundraising and advocacy. Their Kwanzaa Celebration honors African heritage and culture from December 26 to January 1, fostering unity and community among African Americans while reinforcing values of cultural pride during the holiday season. Attendees will enjoy the lighting of the kinara, traditional feasts, vibrant decorations, cultural music, dance, storytelling, and a libation ceremony to honor ancestors. Engaging youth, families, and seniors, this cherished celebration has been a community tradition for over a decade. Volunteers play a crucial role in event planning, setup, performances and marketing. Supported by the Broward Cultural Arts Division and the broader community, this Kwanzaa event is a vital part of local culture.
www.olddillardfoundation.org
They are seeking $5,000 to sustain and expand this meaningful cultural experience.
Seafarers’ House
Holiday Shoebox Christmas Program & Party
www.seafarershouse.org
Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades serves nearly 150,000 mariners each year, providing a welcoming space with amenities like a chapel, free Wi-Fi, and emergency assistance to support their community and well-being. This year, the Seafarers' House 2024 Holiday Shoebox Christmas Program & Party aims to bring holiday cheer to hardworking seafarers who spend months away from their families. The holiday party includes care packages filled with essential items, games, and festive treats. With a tradition spanning over two decades, Seafarers' House distributes up to 2,000 care packages each holiday season. This year's new holiday party in their 15,000 sq. ft. center will further expand the project’s reach.
Funding up to $7,500 can help make a lasting impact.
Serving with GRACE, Inc HolidayCARE Outreach Initiative
Serving with Grace provides essential goods and services to children and families in underserved communities, helping to rebuild their lives by offering household items, clothing and food to those experiencing economic challenges. To further this mission, the first annual HolidayCARE Outreach Initiative aims to bring holiday joy to underserved communities by adopting a daycare facility, fulfilling holiday wish lists for daycare children and their siblings while also providing requested household items for their parents. This project supports at least 100 children and 30 households, ensuring that everyone can experience the magic of the holidays together. Extending the initiative to the entire families reinforces the spirit of community care.
www.servingwithgrace.org
Only $6,500, is needed to expand their reach and impact. Your gift will make a difference.
South Florida Chamber Ensemble
The Spirit of Giving
www.sfcemusic.com
The South Florida Chamber Ensemble harnesses music and the arts for education and well-being through classical programming, interactive initiatives, unsung composers and collaborations for social justice and equality. Their Spirit of Giving holiday celebration combines literacy and cultural experiences through the interactive iLUMA (inter-generational Literacy Using Music and Art) program, where participants at Gulfstream Academy - a dual-language school that embraces 28 languages - will explore the Ukrainian holiday story, “The Spider's Gift.” through storytelling in English, Spanish, and sign language. The event will also feature traditional Ukrainian music performed by the South Florida Chamber Ensemble, concluding with a brief dance lesson of the Ukrainian Hopak. Participants will enjoy holiday snacks, and each child will receive gift bags filled with books, toys, and school supplies.
A donation of $1,500 would censure the success of this uplifting celebration
Sweet Dream Makers Holiday Dreams for Broward's Kids
Sweet Dream Makers provides new beds and bedding at no cost to families in need, ensuring every family has the opportunity for a peaceful night’s sleep.
This holiday season, the Holiday Dreams for Broward's Kids project aims to bring comfort and joy to children and families in Broward County by providing brand-new, cozy beds and bedding that foster a sense of holiday magic. Many families face difficult circumstances, especially during the holidays, but with the support of over 60 community partners, SDM ensures kids have a warm and welcoming sleep environment, including twin mattresses and festive bedding chosen by the children themselves. Gifting beds, especially, during the holiday season, uplifts families, promotes well-being, and creates lasting memories.
www.sweetdreammakers.org
A gift of $5,000 will help 20 youth get a new bed!
The Legacy Closet Hope for the Holidays
www.thelegacycloset.org
The Legacy Closet’s mission is to create lasting change for South Florida families by providing food, clothing, and essentials to those in need, grounded in core values of integrity, compassion, transparency and accountability. In line with this mission, the Hope for the Holidays initiative uplifts homeless children and their families during the Christmas season. Families can receive a two-week accommodation at a partnering hotel, providing a safe place to stay. Kids receive toys, while parents benefit from 14 days of meals and access to vital resources and wraparound services designed to help them reclaim their lives. As the homeless crisis intensifies, this commitment reflects the urgent need for support. Last year, the program successfully created a miracle Christmas for 178 homeless children.
The Legacy Closet needs up to $12,000 to continue making a difference.
The McKenzie Project, Inc Harmony Holidays Xtravaganza
The McKenzie Project is a Black trans-led organization uplifting individuals aged 14 and older in the Black TGNCNB+ community - especially those facing homelessness or survival sex work—by advocating for HIV awareness and promoting entrepreneurship to address economic disparities. In line with this mission, the Harmony Holidays Xtravaganza is a vibrant initiative aimed at bringing joy and connection to the Black TGNCNBI+ community through intergenerational storytelling, family craft sessions, a community dinner and a youth talent showcase. The event will also feature mental health and wellness workshops, a gift exchange , and a festive dance party to cap off the celebrations, ensuring that every member of the Black TGNCNBI+ community experiences holiday happiness and connection.
www.themckenzieproject.org
Your support will help McKenzie Project serve over 1,500 children and families.
The Salvation Army of Broward County Angel Tree Program
www.salvationarmyfortlauderdale.org
The Salvation Army's mission is to meet human needs without discrimination, serving and uplifting the community. This commitment is exemplified through the Angel Tree Program, a cherished holiday initiative that provides new toys to underserved children and their families. Each year, generous sponsors are paired with a child, or "angel," to fulfill their holiday wishes by purchasing toys, clothing and other requested items, ensuring that children facing financial hardship can experience the joy of the season while fostering a sense of community, generosity, and inclusion. Last year, the program supported 1,600 families and 3,365 children. Volunteers helped organize and distribute gifts. This project is known for brightening the holidays for children and highlighting collective goodwill.
The Salvation Army is seeking $10,000 to expand the program.
The Scholarship Plug, Inc. BRACE Advisors Holiday Appreciation Drive
The Scholarship Plug, through its dedicated BRACE Advisors, offers expert college planning and scholarship mentoring with personalized services to help individuals achieve their financial aid goals and maximize opportunities. To honor their dedication, the BRACE Advisors Holiday Appreciation Drive creates festive gift baskets for BRACE Advisors in Broward County Public Schools, recognizing their crucial role in supporting up to 1,500 students across various high schools in Broward County. By honoring both current and recently retired advisors, The Scholarship Plug highlights the significant impact these essential figures have on thousands of students' futures. The project will take place from December 1st to December 23rd, with baskets delivered by Scholarship Plug staff to each BRACE "College Advising" Office.
www.thescholarshipplug.com
Trustbridge Hospice Foundation Holiday Happiness Project
www.trustbridge.com
Trustbridge Hospice Foundation (THF) provides compassionate hospice care and emotional and spiritual support to families in need. THF’s Holiday Happiness Project aims to deliver Thanksgiving meals to hospice patients and their families in Broward County, ensuring they receive a festive meal during the holiday season. In 2023, volunteers hand-delivered Thanksgiving meals to 32 patients, significantly enhancing their holiday experience and inspiring the foundation to expand the initiative to reach all patients. With staff and volunteers caring for approximately 500 homes daily, Trustbridge is acutely aware of the importance of these meals in providing comfort and encouragement. To serve more patients the plans to leverage discounts and in-kind donations from caterers along and generosity from volunteers donating their time and resources.
Urban League of Broward County, Inc. Holiday Transformation
The Urban League of Broward County empowers African Americans and underserved communities through education, entrepreneurship, and health to achieve economic self-reliance and civil rights. Building on this mission, Holiday Transformation - an initiative formerly known as Christmas Transformation - seeks to brighten the holiday season for 75 to 100 families facing financial hardships - by giving gifts, gift cards, food baskets and assisting with small bills to support families by alleviating some of the burdens on families during the holiday season. Their initiative is also supported through partnerships with the Village at Tamarac and FIU, ensuring that families can fully embrace the holiday spirit, including often-overlooked teens and young adults.
www.ulbroward.org
The Urban League is currently fundraising up to $20,000 to support this important initiative.
United Church of Christ Ft. Lauderdale
Holiday Meal and Blanket Program for the Un-Housed
https://www.uccftl.org
United Church of Christ Ft. Lauderdale is a welcoming, open and affirming church to people of all races, genders, ages, sexual orientations, professions, previous religious affiliations, nationalities, or mental and physical conditions. United Church created a community outreach program called Ruth Ministry to focus on serving the needs of the un-housed community. Every Thursday Ruth Ministry provides food, clothing, toiletries and social services to the community. Their Holiday Meal and Blanket Program for the Un-Housed program offers a hot meal including ham, potatoes, carrots, salad, soup and beverages to approximately 150 guests. Additionally, each guest will receive a new comfy blanket to keep them warm.
United Church of Christ needs $1,000 to expand their event and feed more individuals and families.
