'Tis the season for not just giving, but giving back.
We've compiled a list of the top 25 Los Angeles holiday drives that you can participate in this year. Whether it's to donate your time, money and more to local charities in need, we've discovered family-friendly activities perfect for both individuals and groups. There are so many ways to cherish the city of Los Angeles, from its people, beaches and museums. Start giving back to the community by choosing from our list of some of the best places to make a difference, from Downtown Los Angeles, to the San Gabriel Valley and even Santa Monica.
PS - this list was published in 2016, but be sure to check out our 2017 charity advent calendar to learn more!
1. MainStage 2016
Organization: Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
Date: Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Join hundreds of other young adults for MainStage, a unique night of food, drinks and inspiring speakers. Featuring James Corden. General admission tickets start at $115 and can be purchased online.
2. Family Gift Baskets
Organization: Interface Children & Family Services
Date: Baskets must be delivered to Interface by Friday, December 16, 2016
Support an Interface family in crisis by giving a Family Gift Basket of fun! Ideas for baskets include: movie and dinner passes with popcorn and candy, family board games and cards with hot cocoa, tickets to holiday or sporting events, family craft projects. Visit website for basket dropoff address.
3. Christmas At The Ranch
Organization: Camarillo Ranch Foundation
Date: December 2, 2016
Enjoy an elegant evening at the Camarillo Ranch. This invitation only event includes cocktail hour inside the historical Victorian Mansion, heavy appetizers in the red barn, and live holiday music. Register today.
4. Volunteer at Annual Clothing Giveaway
Organization: National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles
Date: Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, 2016
Volunteers are needed to help sort and give away over 75,000 pieces of clothing and children’s books to more than 3,000 in-need and at-risk individuals in our community. Sign up for a volunteer shift.
5. Bring On The Joy
Organization: Angel City Chorale
Date: December 3 & 4, 2016
Angel City Chorale kicks off the season with its eagerly anticipated annual winter concert and sing-along. The vibrant concert, a reflection of Los Angeles, features a 25-piece live orchestra and a tapestry of seasonal favorites with musical textures from diverse traditions. Register today.
6. Trees of Enchantment
Organization: MERCI
Date: December 4, 2016
Guests are able to purchase raffle tickets at the event for a chance to take home one of 20 beautifully adorned holiday trees, better known as "Trees of Enchantment". Each tree is decorated according to a particular theme with corresponding gifts, valued at over $350 each. RSVP for this event.
7. Holiday Cheer! Concert and Sing-Along
Organization: New Horizons
Date: December 5, 2016
Attend New Horizons’ annual holiday concert featuring music and dance by: New Horizons Brite Lites, The Arc Handbell Choir, San Fernando Valley Youth Chorus and more! Cost is $5.00 in advance or at the door. Register.
8. Holiday Art Bazaar
Organization: Theatre of Hearts Youth First
Date: December 10, 2016
Enjoy mimosas and light fare while learning collage techniques with a focus on creating unique works of art by using a wide variety of materials: paper, fabric, lace, and more. Led by two LA based artisit, Alice Dworkin and Rhonda Raulston, they will explain basic art concepts and demo collage techniques while providing ALL materials, for you to make your own unique artistic expressions. Each participant will come away with 2-4 of your own original artworks! More info here.
9. Yule Caroling
Organization: One Incredible Family, Inc.
Date: December 11 & 18, 2016
Lend your voice in song and come lift the spirits of seniors as one incredible family. Two opportunities available to sing carols with glee at local Senior Centers! Register for caroling here.
10. Gift Wrapping Party
Organization: Coalition for Engaged Education
Date: December 14, 2016
Join the Coalition for Engaged Education for a gift-wrapping party to prepare gift for youth in our various programs. Learn more.
11. Holiday Angels Program
Organization: Connections for Children
Date: December 16-19, 2016
The annual Holiday Angels Program is a year-end treat for children enrolled in the organization's child care subsidy programs and their families. Connections For Children warmly invites participation where volunteers are “elves,” wrapping gifts, helping families and spreading holiday cheer. Opportunities include: IT/Technology Wizard, PR/Communications, guest speaking, and more. Register to volunteer.
12. Holiday Program
Organization: One Voice
Date: December 17-20, 2016
Each year the One Voice Holiday Food Program provides Christmas food baskets, toys and books to 2,500 families (12,500 people) living in poverty in the Los Angeles area. In the spirit of the holidays, each child receives books and toys given personally by Santa and every family takes home a basket overflowing with all the makings of a wonderful holiday meal: a turkey, rolls, carrots, squash, potatoes, yams, onions, rice, beans, bags of apples and oranges, candy, a fresh apple pie and canned goods. Be part of this epic event.
13. Home for the Holidays
Organization: A Place Called Home
Date: December 17, 2016
A Place Called Home (APCH) treats the community to a day full of free fun and festivities. Event takes place at 2830 S. Central Ave. Los Angeles CA 90011. Visit website for more details.
14. Holiday Party
Organization: Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House
Date: December 18, 2016
You are invited to this year’s Holiday Party! Join your LARMH family for food, drinks, music, and fun. More info here.
15. Christmas At The Station
Organization: Union Station Homeless Services
Date: December 25, 2016
This incredible community event provides thousands of holiday meals and hope to homeless men, women, children, seniors, very low-income families, and those with no place to go during the holidays. Other ways to help include pie donations and Christmas wishlist purchases. The impact of this event in the community is huge! Sign up to volunteer here.
16. Holiday Giving Drive
Organization: Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
Date: November - December 2016
Each holiday season, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office provides much needed cheer to hundreds of crime victims and their families through the Holiday Giving Drive. District Attorney personnel nominate victims, many of whom are children, and their families who have been severely affected by crime. Staff members collect donations, purchase gifts and deliver them to victims. Learn how you can contribute to this drive.
17. Holiday Gift Drive
Organization: Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind
Date: November - December 2016
Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind hosts a holiday gift drive for 80 residents in its homes, as well as 40 toddlers and children in its early intervention program. To learn more, call Gail at 818-708-1740 x 2044.
18. Holiday Giving Campaign
Organization: Exceptional Children’s Foundation
Date: November - December 2016
Help brighten the holiday season by participating in one of three ways: Adopt a family in need. Our Early Start Adopt-A-Family coordinator will match you with a client family with one or more children with special needs and provide you with a detailed shopping list. Host a food or gift drive. Invite your co-workers, students or organization members to collect gifts or non-perishable food. Donate cash and let ECF do the shopping. Your cash gift will be used to buy items for clients in programs where needs are greatest. Visit www.ecf.net/holidaygiving for details or contact Lisa at [email protected].
19. Sparks of Love Toy Drive
Organization: ABC7 & Southern California Firefighters
Date: November - December 2016
ABC7 and Southern California Firefighters are celebrating the 23rd year of the “Spark of Love Toy Drive.” Over the past two decades, the “Spark of Love Toy Drive” has successfully collected more than 9 million toys for underserved children and teens. With love and support of donors and sponsors, kids across Southern California receive a new toy each holiday season. Get involved: donations of any size will go towards buying children’s toys or sports equipment, or drop off a new, unwrapped toy or sports equipment at any local fire station in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Donate online or find a local fire station today.
20. Annual BOMA/GLA Food, Clothing and Toy Drive
Organization: Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Los Angeles
Date: November – December 2016
Many families in our community are finding it increasingly difficult to provide for themselves and their children. In 2015, supporters of this drive collectively brought in over 16,000 toys, 6500 needed food items, and 6000 clothing and toiletries! That’s over 30,000 items for 20+ charities. More information on the holiday drive.
21. Holidays From The Heart
Organization: Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles
Date: November - December 2016
The Holidays From the Heart Program offers support to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ most financially challenged families, including those whose children have acute or chronic illnesses, and vulnerable youth served by the hospital’s many outreach programs. The program began in 1993 with just two families. In 2015, over 450 families were sponsored. Many of the volunteer opportunities can be done from a remote location and at your convenience. Positions include: hosting a gift card drive, becoming a North Pole worker, acting as a driver to transport gifts to homes and tidying up the North Pole (hospital space). More information here.
22. Fill A Holiday Stocking For A Child Or Family
Organization: Aviva
Date: November - December 2016
Consider hosting a holiday gift and toy drive for Aviva OR Aviva can provide personalized wish lists from these children and families, many of whom need almost anything you can think of – from blankets to food gift cards. Learn more.
23. Adopt A Family Program
Organization: Glendale YWCA
Date: November – December 2016
The holidays can be a difficult time for families affected by domestic violence. Help Glendale YWCA clients take part in the joy of the holiday season. Learn more.
24. Adopt A Family Program
Organization: Mothers Club Pasadena
Date: November – December 2016
Experience the true spirit of giving this holiday season through the Mother's Club Family Learning Center Adopt-A-Family Program. You'll be linked with a family in need, and you will have the opportunity to provide the makings of a wonderful holiday. Adopt a family here.
25. Annual Holiday Drive
Organization: Five Acres
Date: November – December, 2016
Participate in this unique program in a number of ways: become a family angel donor and grant at least one wish for each member of the assigned family, participate in the Cottage Angel program and your gift of $500 sponsors holiday beautification for one of the residential cottages or group home (provides a holiday tree, ornaments and other holiday related home accents) for 10 children living in the residential treatment center or sponsor a Holiday Wish Tree and choose an ornament that contains a child’s wishes. Learn about the many more one-of-a-kind ways to participate.