Join us this holiday season in bringing joy to our community while strengthening belonging and well-being among children and families. This year's gift drive will benefit hundreds of children in the Jewish and broader communities supported by JCFS Chicago.

Here is how you can make some holiday wishes come true!

1. Sponsor a Child’s Wish

Choose to sponsor one or more children and fulfill their gift wishes. Each gift you provide can make a significant difference in a child’s life.

  • You will be matched with a child or teen whose detailed wish list will be shared with you as a reference for when you go shopping. Wish slips will be available, beginning early/mid-fall.
  • You don't have to buy everything on the list. However, our goal to be fair to each client is to spend $50 per child.

Sign up to sponsor a child.

2. Gift Collection

Hold a gift drive at your workplace, club, synagogue and/or condo building for new, unwrapped gifts.

  • Gift cards are also welcomed (in amounts of $10, $25, and $50) and greatly appreciated as they allow our youth and families to get exactly what they want, as well as alleviate logistical issues.
  • New, unwrapped gifts can be delivered by Wednesday, December 3rd to JCFS Seigle Building, 5140 Golf Road, Skokie, Monday – Thursday from 9am-5pm and/or Friday 9am-4pm.
  •  JCFS will arrange pickup for collections of 50 or more gifts. 

Sign up to hold a gift collection.

3. Amazon Wishlist Shopping

Coming Soon: Explore our wish list on Amazon and contribute to making a child’s wish come true with just a few clicks.

Purchase a gift.

4. Make a Monetary Donation

Your cash donation will be put to good use by our dedicated staff who will ensure each child receives a gift.

Make a gift.

5. Volunteer Your Time

Help us pack and sort over 700 holiday wishes by volunteering your time. Your dedication can bring joy to many hearts.

Volunteer opportunities are scheduled to begin on Friday, December 5th. We will have three shifts available, please sign up and indicate your shift preference. We will slot in our volunteers on a first come first serve basis. You will receive confirmation once you have been scheduled for a shift. We will let you know if we cannot accommodate you or your group due to space limitations.

Sign-up to volunteer.

Donation drop-off and volunteer opportunities will be held at JCFS Chicago, Seigle Building, located at 5140 Golf Road, Skokie, IL 60077.

If you missed your group’s pickup date or need a bit more time, please be sure to drop off unwrapped gift(s) to JCFS Chicago’s Skokie location above by December 3rd during these hours: Mondays-Thursdays from 9AM-5PM and/or Fridays 9AM-4PM.

For more information about donating or volunteering, please email our Winter Projects team.