SPUR Holiday Cheer Drive
2022 Frequently Asked Questions
Please take a moment to review the most frequently asked questions. Please note that any dates referenced below refer to the 2022 Drive.
WHAT IS THE HOLIDAY CHEER DRIVE?
Through the SPUR Holiday Cheer Drive, we work with school counselors, social workers, food pantry directors, and other social service providers to give winter essentials along with a few meaningful gifts to nearly 600 children as well as adults experiencing homelessness in Lynn, Marblehead, Salem, and Swampscott.
WAYS TO PARTICIPATE:
Sponsor a wish list HERE. Wish lists are searchable by age and gender, or you may filter by a specific toy or interest.
Financially support our drive by making a tax-deductible gift HERE. Your monetary gift will help ensure expenses associated with our Holiday Cheer Drive are covered, such as procuring items for unreturned wish lists, and help ensure that we have the continued capacity to run the Holiday Cheer Drive.
WHAT GOES IN THE BUNDLE OF CHEER?
Working with each individual recipient, the caseworkers and counselors submit a wish list that includes items the individual wants, items the individual needs, items to wear, and something to read. This wish list is a guide so Sponsors have the opportunity to connect personally and get a sense of the recipient's personality. This insight allows Sponsors to shop with ease and be assured that the items selected will be appreciated and will bring the recipient joy.
Pint Size and Up in Marblehead has graciously offered to give 20% off any purchases from their store that are being placed into SPUR's Holiday Cheer bundles. Simply bring your wish list to the register to receive the discount.
CAN I JUST FILL MY BUNDLE OF CHEER AS I SEE FIT?
We encourage Sponsors to use the provided wish list as a guide to buying gifts for a Bundle of Cheer. Wish lists are created with intention between the children and their counselor- to fit the needs and desires of that participant. All items must be new and we suggest the target value of the bundle to be around $100-150.
WHEN ARE BUNDLES DUE?
Bundles are due by Monday, December 5. All bundles must be returned through the front door at the SPUR Office, located at 6 Anderson St in Marblehead, MA.
WHEN CAN I RETURN MY BUNDLE OF CHEER?
Weekdays: From 10AM to 2PM (November 16 - December 5)*
Sunday, November 20, 10AM to 2PM
Monday, November 21, 6PM to 8PM
Sunday, November 27, 10AM to 2PM
Monday, November 28, 6PM to 8PM
Thursday, December 1, 6PM to 8PM
Saturday, December 3, 10AM to 2PM
Sunday, December 4, 10AM to 2PM
Monday, December 5, from 6PM to 8PM
*Please note the office will be closed on Thursday, November 24, and Friday November 25
CAN I WRAP ITEMS IN MY BUNDLE OF CHEER?
We ask that all items are unwrapped. During our Workshops, we wrap a minimum of one item per Bundle of Cheer. During the week of November 21, we will post these Volunteer Opportunities HERE.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE WORKSHOPS?
Volunteers carefully open and check Bundles to ensure items inside are new and age-appropriate. A minimum of one item is wrapped per Bundle of Cheer.
I WOULD LIKE TO HELP BUT CAN’T COMMIT TO SPONSORING AN ENTIRE WISH LIST. CAN I STILL HELP?
Absolutely! If you cannot commit to sponsoring an entire wish list, consider partnering with another family, making a financial CONTRIBUTION toward a wish list, or donating new items we can draw from to fill partial or unsponsored wish lists.
IS MY GIFT TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?
If you have made a monetary donation to SPUR's Holiday Cheer Drive you will receive a donor acknowledgment letter detailing your annual giving through SPUR in January. If you fulfill a Bundle of Cheer we recommend saving receipts for any gifts you purchase towards the Holiday Cheer Drive, as you will need to submit those to your tax professional to claim a donation. SPUR is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
