For survivors of domestic violence, the holidays can bring fear instead of peace. This season, you can help a family feel safe, cared for, and celebrated. Whether you love to shop, can rally a crew, or want to roll up your sleeves, there’s a way for you to give.
Three ways to give this season
Holiday Gift Program
Adopt-A-Family
Our staff have been collecting wish lists from the families we serve. Each one represents the hopes of a survivor and their children this holiday season, and they’ve asked for your help making those wishes come true.
All gifts due by December 11
Here’s how it works:
- Sign up. Choose the size of the family you’d like to support.
- Get matched. Willow staff will send you a wish list based on family size.
- Shop, wrap, and drop off. Shop for the items on your family’s list, wrap them yourself or use our gift-wrapping service, then schedule your drop-off at Willow’s Holiday Headquarters.
It’s a great fit for families, offices, schools, and friend groups.
Purple Box
Rally your community
Spend the season collecting brand-new items from our wish list at work, school, your place of worship, the gym, anywhere your people gather. Your community places donations straight into your very own Purple Box!
Most needed:
- Pajamas and sweatpants in child & adult sizes
- Snow boots for children
- Diapers & wipes
- Body wash, deodorant & white bath towels
- Gift cards for teens and adults
All donated items must be brand new.
Give a Life-Changing Gift
Gift cards & online wish lists
For survivors, gift cards give the gift of agency and choice on top of being able to make a purchase. We accept gift cards from all major stores and gas stations. Wegmans, Walmart, Target, and Aldi are always a hit, and teens love GameStop, Five Below, American Eagle, Hollister, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and DSW.
Mail gift cards to:
PO Box 39601
Rochester, NY 14604
Rather shop from your couch? Ship straight to Willow from our online wish lists:
Amazon Wish List Chewy Wish List
Prefer to give online? Make a gift by credit card and we’ll put it toward what survivors need most this season.
Wrap with us!
Every gift that comes through our doors gets sorted, matched to a family, and wrapped with care, and we can’t do it without you. Grab a friend (or your whole team) and join us for a holiday sorting and wrapping shift.
Dropping off donations
All drop-offs are by appointment only.
Email PurpleBox@WillowCenterNY.org to schedule your drop-off, and we’ll send you the details.
Mailing gift cards? Send them to PO Box 39601, Rochester, NY 14604.
Questions
Do donated items need to be new?
Yes. All donated items must be brand new, with tags on where possible. Thank you for helping families feel cared for!
When are Adopt-A-Family gifts due?
All gifts for the Holiday Gift Program should be shopped, wrapped, and dropped off by December 11. Email us to schedule your drop-off.
Do I have to wrap the gifts myself?
Nope! You’re welcome to wrap them, or bring them unwrapped and our gift-wrapping volunteers will take care of it.
Can I drop off without an appointment?
We’re not able to accept walk-in drop-offs. Email PurpleBox@WillowCenterNY.org and we’ll find a time that works.
Can I mail gift cards?
Absolutely. Mail them to Willow Domestic Violence Center, PO Box 39601, Rochester, NY 14604.
I have another question.
We’d love to help! Email PurpleBox@WillowCenterNY.org.
Make a holiday gift today
Your gift helps keep Willow’s life-saving services available for survivors and their children, during the holidays and all year long.
