How you can help make ‘Christmas in the City’ happen for Seminole families

Kate Santich, Orlando Sentinel
·1 min read

Every year since 2008, the nonprofit HOPE Helps in Oviedo has hosted “Christmas in the City,” giving hundreds of low-income Seminole County parents the chance to choose gifts for their children and providing the entire family a holiday meal. Despite COVID, the charity is determined to continue the tradition — with a few changes.

With support from a coalition of faith groups and community donors, this year HOPE is providing gift cards, stuffed Christmas stockings, new socks and underwear and a bag of groceries for a holiday meal to make at home, and registered families will be able to pick up the items curbside. There still will be holiday music, candy canes and appearances from Santa, but the event will be spread over three days to prevent crowds.

If you’d like to help, you can sign up to volunteer for shifts from Dec. 2 to Dec. 10 or donate a gift, gift card or food at designated collection sites in Oviedo, Altamonte Springs, Winter Springs and Winter Park. Or you can host a donation collection site at your business, become a sponsor or host your own donation drive. HOPE, which works to prevent and reduce homelessness, is asking for small stocking stuffers, new socks and underwear, diapers, gift cards in $15 increments, and non-perishable holiday food items. You can view all items needed and further details at HOPE’s website for the event.

Gifts and gift cards are needed by Nov. 30. Monetary donations can be made at any time.

Questions? Email jackie@hopehelps.org.

———

©2020 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.)

Visit The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) at www.OrlandoSentinel.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.