HAVEN of Oakland County Gift Giveaway -Support survivors of domestic violence & sexual assault this holiday season
Donations and volunteer opportunities are accepted/available from December 8 @ 9am - December 14 @ 5pm
Make the holidays brighter for survivors and their families by participating in HAVEN’s 2024 Gift Giveaway
The holidays can be a challenging time for survivors of intimate partner violence. To ease some of those difficulties, HAVEN is holding its annual Gift Giveaway, where survivors and their families can shop for holiday gifts, thanks to the generous donations and countless volunteer hours.
Unlike other holiday gift programs, HAVEN’s Gift Giveaway empowers survivors who have used HAVEN’s services in the past 12 months by allowing them to shop (at no cost to them) from hundreds of holiday items, such as toys, clothing, small appliances and more. Volunteers also accompany survivors, assisting them in picking out special gifts for their children—and themselves.
“Gift Giveaway is truly one of the most special events at HAVEN,” said HAVEN CEO Christine Kinal. “Being able to provide this service to our clients annually means so much, and we couldn’t do it without the generous help and support of our volunteers and the community.”
Last year, HAVEN helped make the holiday season brighter for more than 500 survivors and their families. This number continues to grow each year as survivors and their families seek support, shelter, and freedom. With the community’s help, survivors and their families will have the holiday they deserve.
Donations are being accepted now during normal business hours at HAVEN’s headquarters in Pontiac. HAVEN’s Amazon Wish List is a simple way to shop and have the items shipped directly to HAVEN. Be sure to shop early to avoid shipping delays on all holiday donations.
The wish list link is: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2L3KGKOPNBPCA?ref_=wl_share
This year’s top priority items include:
- Winter coats (gender neutral, especially in larger sizes up to 3X)
- Gift cards ($20-$50, Meijer, Kroger, Walmart or Target)
- Blankets and comforters (full or queen size)
- Teen items, especially for teen boys
- Kitchen appliances (microwaves, fryers, slow cookers, etc.)
- Pajamas for all ages and sizes, especially men’s sizes for teenage boys
- Winter gear, especially for teen boys, such as boots, gloves, and hats
Donations can be dropped off at HAVEN, 801 Vanguard in Pontiac, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Volunteer opportunities are available onsite at HAVEN every Tuesday and Thursday leading up to Gift Giveaway to support in processing, sorting and inventorying donations. Volunteers are also needed during Gift Giveaway, December 8-13. Duties include gift wrapping, assisting with donations, setting up the room, organizing donations, helping client's shop, tear down and more. Volunteers can sign up through HAVEN’s United Way volunteer portal.
If you or a loved one are in crisis, HAVEN’s Crisis Line support team is available 24/7.
24-HR CRISIS & SUPPORT: 248-334-1274
TOLL-FREE CRISIS LINE: 877-922-1274
About HAVEN
HAVEN is Oakland County’s only comprehensive program for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. HAVEN provides over 30,000 services including shelter, counseling, advocacy, and educational programming per year. HAVEN's mission is to empower survivors to heal and engage all individuals and communities to address and prevent sexual assault and intimate partner violence—ultimately eradicating it and healing those affected by its injustice.