Holiday Helping HandUNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA
WAYS TO HELP MEET OUR NEIGHBORS’ BASIC NEEDS
United Way of Central Iowa
ADOPT A FAMILY
DONATE ITEMS FOR FOOD BASKETS
VISIT THE ELDERLY
VOLUNTEER TO DRIVE
PROVIDE A FEAST
DONATE CANNED FOOD
DONATE NEW CLOTHES
DONATE NEW TOYS
DONATE OTHER GIFTS
HELP WITH HOLIDAY PARTIES
HELP WITH HOLIDAY PROJECTS
LEND
A H
AND
1 ADOPT A FAMILY Purchase gifts such as food, clothing, and toys for a family in need.
2 DONATE ITEMS FOR FOOD BASKETSProvide items for a Thanksgiving and/or holiday dinner.
3 VISIT THE ELDERLYBe a surrogate family to an elderly person or provide gifts.
4 VOLUNTEER TO DRIVETransport people to events/shopping or deliver meals to the homebound.
5 PROVIDE A FEASTPrepare and serve a feast for Thanksgiving and/or the holidays.
6 DONATE CANNED FOOD
7 DONATE NEW CLOTHES
8 DONATE NEW TOYS
9 HELP WITH HOLIDAY PARTIESHelp host events, special organizational activities and parties.
10 HELP WITH HOLIDAY PROJECTSHelp wrap gifts, assemble baskets, make cookies and much more.
11 DONATE OTHER GIFTSProvide gift cards, gift certificates, etc.
Search holiday volunteer opportunities at
www.unitedwaydm.org/volunteer
ADOP
T A
FAM
ILY
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, Lisa Majors Schissel, (515) 288-9025 ext. 229, [email protected]
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Elaine Collet, (515) 262-5695 ext. 202, [email protected]
Child Abuse Prevention Council of Warren County, Colleen Reisener, (515) 962-9171, [email protected]
Children & Families of Iowa, Kellie Doffin, (515) 697-7968, [email protected]
Community Youth Concepts, Kelsey Tyrrell, (515) 243-4292, [email protected]
Des Moines Public Schools—Department of Learning Services, Michelle Heard, (515) 242-8300, [email protected]
Des Moines Public Schools—Des Moines Alternative Boys/Girls Program, Simone Freeman, (515) 242-8150, [email protected]
EMBARC, Ngan Hoang, (515) 286-3787, [email protected]
Hawthorn Hill, Alissa Murphy, (515) 243-7456, [email protected]
HOME, Inc., Pam Carmichael or Molly Bennett, (515) 243-1277, [email protected] or [email protected]
Hope Ministries, Karie Ellwanger, (515) 265-7272, [email protected]
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Emma Christianson, (515) 689-2325, [email protected]
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Wendy Sontag, (515) 270-6169, [email protected]
Link Associates, Cindy Spann, (515) 262-8888, [email protected]
MECCA Services, Jan Peterson, (319) 248-8783, [email protected]
Mentor Iowa, Zannie Thomas-Peckumn, (515) 277-9797, [email protected]
Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Esther Morris, (515) 244-7702 ext. 136, [email protected]
Orchard Place, Megan Ronnenberg, (515) 287-9621, [email protected]
Polk County Family Enrichment Center, Jodi Trimble Dirks, (515) 286-3833, [email protected]
Urbandale Community Action Network, Mary Polson, (515) 278-3936,[email protected]
Visiting Nurse Services, Leslie Taft, (515) 558-9590, [email protected]
WesleyLife Community Services, Kelsey Morgan, (515) 699-3248, [email protected]
West Des Moines Human Services, Melinda Hotovec, (515) 222-3663, [email protected]
Purchase gifts such as food, clothing, and toys for a family in need.
FOOD
BAS
KETS
Beacon of Life, Linda Pallwitz, (515) 244-4713 ext. 206, [email protected]
Bidwell Riverside Center, Missy Reams, (515) 244-6251 ext. 214, [email protected]
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Elaine Collet, (515) 262-5695 ext. 202, [email protected]
Catholic Charities, Leslie Van Der Molen, (515) 237-5025, [email protected]
Children & Families of Iowa, Kellie Doffin, (515) 697-7968, [email protected]
Des Moines Public Schools—Des Moines Alternative Boys/Girls Program, Simone Freeman, (515) 242-8150, [email protected]
Des Moines Community Action Agency, Shannon Bills, (515) 283-4180, [email protected]
EMBARC, Ngan Hoang, (515) 286-3787, [email protected]
Hawthorn Hill, Alissa Murphy, (515) 243-7456, [email protected]
HOME, Inc., Pam Carmichael or Molly Bennett, (515) 243-1277, [email protected] or [email protected]
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Emma Christianson, (515) 689-2325, [email protected]
Johnston Partnership, Paul Wanderscheid, (515) 991-2951, [email protected]
Link Associates, Cindy Spann, (515) 262-8888, [email protected]
MECCA Services, Jan Peterson, (319) 248-8783, [email protected]
Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Esther Morris, (515) 244-7702 ext. 136, [email protected]
Orchard Place, Megan Ronnenberg, (515) 287-9621, [email protected]
Polk County Family Enrichment Center, Jodi Trimble Dirks, (515) 286-3833, [email protected]
Urbandale Food Pantry, Eileen Boggess, (515) 251-6688, [email protected]
Visiting Nurse Services, Leslie Taft, (515) 558-9590, [email protected]
West Des Moines Human Services, Melinda Hotovec, (515) 222-3663, [email protected]
Young Women’s Resource Center, Kathy Parenza, (515) 244-4901, [email protected]
Donate items to prepare a holiday dinner.
Search holiday volunteer opportunities at
www.unitedwaydm.org/volunteer
VISI
T TH
E EL
DERL
Y
Beacon of Life, Linda Pallwitz, (515) 244-4713 ext. 206, [email protected]
EMBARC, Ngan Hoang, (515) 286-3787, [email protected]
Meals on Wheels—Norwalk, Norwalk Christian Church, Chris Riter, (515) 981-0176, [email protected]
Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Esther Morris, (515) 244-7702 ext. 136, [email protected]
Urbandale Community Action Network, Mary Polson, (515) 278-3936, [email protected]
Visiting Nurse Services, Leslie Taft, (515) 558-9590, [email protected]
Wesley Acres, Susan Skinner, (515) 271-6796, [email protected]
West Des Moines Human Services, Melinda Hotovec, (515) 222-3663, [email protected]
Be a surrogate family to an elderly person or provide gifts.
VOLU
NTEE
R TO
DRI
VEHawthorn Hill, Alissa Murphy, (515) 243-7456, [email protected]
Beacon of Life, Linda Pallwitz, (515) 244-4713 ext. 206, [email protected]
Des Moines Public Schools—Des Moines Alternative Boys/Girls Program, Simone Freeman, (515) 242-8150, [email protected]
EMBARC, Ngan Hoang, (515) 286-3787, [email protected]
Hope Ministries, Karie Ellwanger, (515) 265-7272, [email protected]
Meals on Wheels—Norwalk, Norwalk Christian Church, Chris Riter, (515) 981-0176, [email protected]
National Alliance on Mental Illness—Iowa (NAMI IOWA), John Rowley, (515) 254-0417, [email protected]
Urbandale Community Action Network, Mary Polson, (515) 278-3936, [email protected]
Young Women’s Resource Center, Kathy Parenza, (515) 244-4901, [email protected]
Transport people to events/shopping or deliver meals to the homebound.
Beacon of Life, Linda Pallwitz, (515) 244-4713 ext. 206, [email protected]
Children and Family Urban Movement, Atalie Ferring, (515) 282-3242, [email protected]
EMBARC, Ngan Hoang, (515) 286-3787, [email protected]
Hawthorn Hill, Alissa Murphy, (515) 243-7456, [email protected]
Hope Ministries, Karie Ellwanger, (515) 265-7272, [email protected]
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Emma Christianson, (515) 689-2325, [email protected]
Viva East Bank!, Emily Boyd, (515) 262-5965, [email protected]
Wildwood Hills Ranch, Stacy Nimmo, (641) 396-2414, [email protected]
Young Women’s Resource Center, Kathy Parenza, (515) 244-4901, [email protected]
PROV
IDE
A FE
AST
Prepare and serve a feast for Thanksgiving and/or the holidays.
Download our Mobile Volunteer AppUnited Way’s app helps you browse, share or sign up for one of the 200 Holiday Helping Hands volunteer opportunities. The app works on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. You can learn more and download the app through www.unitedwaydm.org, or the Apple App store.
DONA
TE C
ANNE
D FO
OD
Beacon of Life, Linda Pallwitz, (515) 244-4713 ext. 206, [email protected]
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, Lisa Majors Schissel, (515) 288-9025 ext. 229, [email protected]
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Elaine Collet, (515) 262-5695 ext. 202, [email protected]
Catholic Charities, Leslie Van Der Molen, (515) 237-5025, [email protected]
Central Iowa Shelter & Services, Andrea Cook, (515) 564-5752, [email protected]
Children & Families of Iowa, Kellie Doffin, (515) 697-7968, [email protected]
Children and Family Urban Movement, Atalie Ferring, (515) 282-3242, [email protected]
EMBARC, Ngan Hoang, (515) 286-3787, [email protected]
Hope Ministries, Karie Ellwanger, (515) 265-7272, [email protected]
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Emma Christianson, (515) 689-2325, [email protected]
Johnston Partnership, Paul Wanderscheid, (515) 991-2951, [email protected]
MECCA Services, Jan Peterson, (319) 248-8783, [email protected]
Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Esther Morris, (515) 244-7702 ext. 136, [email protected]
Orchard Place, Megan Ronnenberg, (515) 287-9621, [email protected]
Polk County Family Enrichment Center, Jodi Trimble Dirks, (515) 286-3833, [email protected]
Urbandale Food Pantry, Eileen Boggess, (515) 251-6688, [email protected]
Visiting Nurse Services, Leslie Taft, (515) 558-9590, [email protected]
WesleyLife Community Services, Kelsey Morgan, (515) 699-3248, [email protected]
West Des Moines Human Services, Melinda Hotovec, (515) 222-3663, [email protected]
Young Women’s Resource Center, Kathy Parenza, (515) 244-4901, [email protected]
There is no better exercise for
your heart, than reaching down
and helping to lift someone up.
~Bernard Meltzer
DONA
TE N
EW C
LOTH
ES
Beacon of Life, Linda Pallwitz, (515) 244-4713 ext. 206, [email protected]
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, Lisa Majors Schissel, (515) 288-9025 ext. 229, [email protected]
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Elaine Collet, (515) 262-5695 ext. 202, [email protected]
Central Iowa Shelter & Services, Andrea Cook, (515) 564-5752, [email protected]
Children & Families of Iowa, Kellie Doffin, (515) 697-7968, [email protected]
Children and Family Urban Movement, Atalie Ferring, (515) 282-3242, [email protected]
Des Moines Public Schools—Des Moines Alternative Boys/Girls Program, Simone Freeman, (515) 242-8150, [email protected]
EMBARC, Ngan Hoang, (515) 286-3787, [email protected]
Hawthorn Hill, Alissa Murphy, (515) 243-7456, [email protected]
HOME, Inc., Pam Carmichael or Molly Bennett, (515) 243-1277, [email protected] or [email protected]
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Emma Christianson, (515) 689-2325, [email protected]
MECCA Services, Jan Peterson, (319) 248-8783, [email protected]
Mentor Iowa, Zannie Thomas-Peckumn, (515) 277-9797, [email protected]
Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Esther Morris, (515) 244-7702 ext. 136, [email protected]
Polk County Family Enrichment Center, Jodi Trimble Dirks, (515) 286-3833, [email protected]
Urbandale Community Action Network, Mary Polson, (515) 278-3936, [email protected]
Urbandale Food Pantry, Eileen Boggess, (515) 251-6688, [email protected]
Visiting Nurse Services, Leslie Taft, (515) 558-9590, [email protected]
Viva East Bank!, Emily Boyd, (515) 262-5965, [email protected]
WesleyLife Community Services, Kelsey Morgan, (515) 699-3248, [email protected]
West Des Moines Human Services, Melinda Hotovec, (515) 222-3663, [email protected]
Young Women’s Resource Center, Kathy Parenza, (515) 244-4901, [email protected]
Youth Emergency Services & Shelter (YESS), Max Jensen, (515) 282-9377, [email protected].
Purchase new items of clothing, various sizes.
DONA
TE N
EW T
OYS
Bidwell Riverside Center, Missy Reams, (515) 244-6251 ext. 214, [email protected]
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, Lisa Majors Schissel, (515) 288-9025 ext. 229, [email protected]
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Elaine Collet, (515) 262-5695 ext. 202, [email protected]
Child Abuse Prevention Council of Warren County, Colleen Reisener, (515) 962-9171, [email protected]
Children & Families of Iowa, Kellie Doffin, (515) 697-7968, [email protected]
City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation, Callie Le’au Courtright, (515) 248-6380, [email protected]
Des Moines Community Action Agency, Shannon Bills, (515) 283-4180, [email protected]
EMBARC, Ngan Hoang, (515) 286-3787, [email protected]
GiGi’s Playhouse, Jessica Lane, (515) 252-7529, [email protected]
Hawthorn Hill, Alissa Murphy, (515) 243-7456, [email protected]
HOME, Inc., Pam Carmichael or Molly Bennett, (515) 243-1277, [email protected] or [email protected]
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Emma Christianson, (515) 689-2325, [email protected]
MECCA Services, Jan Peterson, (319) 248-8783, [email protected]
Mentor Iowa, Zannie Thomas-Peckumn, (515) 277-9797, [email protected]
Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Esther Morris, (515) 244-7702 ext. 136, [email protected]
Orchard Place, Megan Ronnenberg, (515) 287-9621, [email protected]
Polk County Family Enrichment Center, Jodi Trimble Dirks, (515) 286-3833, [email protected]
Urbandale Community Action Network, Mary Polson, (515) 278-3936, [email protected]
Urbandale Food Pantry, Eileen Boggess, (515) 251-6688, [email protected]
Visiting Nurse Services, Leslie Taft, (515) 558-9590, [email protected]
WesleyLife Community Services, Kelsey Morgan, (515) 699-3248, [email protected]
West Des Moines Human Services, Melinda Hotovec, (515) 222-3663, [email protected]
Young Women’s Resource Center, Kathy Parenza, (515) 244-4901, [email protected]
Youth Emergency Services & Shelter (YESS), Max Jensen, (515) 282-9377, [email protected]
Provide new, unwrapped toys.
HOLI
DAY
PART
IES
Beacon of Life, Linda Pallwitz, (515) 244-4713 ext. 206, [email protected]
Bidwell Riverside Center, Missy Reams, (515) 244-6251 ext. 214, [email protected]
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Elaine Collet, (515) 262-5695 ext. 202, [email protected]
Children & Families of Iowa, Kellie Doffin, (515) 697-7968, [email protected]
City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation, Callie Le’au Courtright, (515) 248-6380, [email protected]
Community Youth Concepts, Kelsey Tyrrell, (515) 243-4292, [email protected]
EMBARC, Ngan Hoang, (515) 286-3787, [email protected]
Everybody Wins! Iowa, Ashtyn Bragg, (515) 242-8464, [email protected]
Festival of Trees & Lights, Chari Ghrist, (515) 241-3215, [email protected]
GiGi’s Playhouse, Jessica Lane, (515) 252-7529, [email protected]
Hawthorn Hill, Alissa Murphy, (515) 243-7456, [email protected]
Hope Ministries, Karie Ellwanger, (515) 265-7272, [email protected]
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Emma Christianson, (515) 689-2325, [email protected]
Make-A-Wish Iowa, Ashley Dockendorf, (515) 335-2636, [email protected]
Mentor Iowa, Zannie Thomas-Peckumn, (515) 277-9797, [email protected]
Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Esther Morris, (515) 244-7702 ext. 136, [email protected]
Salisbury House & Gardens, Jennifer Cooley, (515) 274-1777, [email protected]
The Salvation Army, Kathy Healy, (515) 282-3599, [email protected]
Urbandale Community Action Network, Mary Polson, (515) 278-3936, [email protected]
Viva East Bank!, Emily Boyd, (515) 262-5965, [email protected]
West Des Moines Human Services, Melinda Hotovec, (515) 222-3663, [email protected]
Young Women’s Resource Center, Kathy Parenza, (515) 244-4901, [email protected]
Help host events, special organizational activities and parties.
No act of kindness,
no matter how small,
is ever wasted.
~ Aesop
HOLI
DAY
PROJ
ECTS
Beacon of Life, Linda Pallwitz, (515) 244-4713 ext. 206, [email protected]
Bidwell Riverside Center, Missy Reams, (515) 244-6251 ext. 214, [email protected]
Children & Families of Iowa, Kellie Doffin, (515) 697-7968, [email protected]
EMBARC, Ngan Hoang, (515) 286-3787, [email protected]
Everybody Wins! Iowa, Ashtyn Bragg, (515) 242-8464, [email protected]
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, Jeff Thompson, (515) 471-8686, [email protected]
Hawthorn Hill, Alissa Murphy, (515) 243-7456, [email protected]
Hope Ministries, Karie Ellwanger, (515) 265-7272, [email protected]
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Emma Christianson, (515) 689-2325, [email protected]
Mentor Iowa, Zannie Thomas-Peckumn, (515) 277-9797, [email protected]
Orchard Place, Megan Ronnenberg, (515) 287-9621, [email protected]
The Salvation Army, Kathy Healy, (515) 282-3599, [email protected]
Young Women’s Resource Center, Kathy Parenza, (515) 244-4901, [email protected]
Help wrap gifts, assemble baskets, make cookies and much more. Opportunities Year Round
United Way of Central Iowa hosts an online volunteer matching service listing hundreds of volunteer opportunities in our community. Visit www.unitedwaydm.org and click on “Volunteer” to search for a volunteer opportunity matching your skills and interests.
FIND THE RIGHT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU:
� Research the causes or issues important to you
� Consider the skills you have to offer
� Look for opportunities that will help you expand your skills
� Do not over-commit your schedule � Consider volunteering as a group
or family
BENEFITS FROM VOLUNTEERING: � Feel needed � Gain leadership skills � Make an impact � Learn something new � Make new friends � Explore a career � Do something different
DONA
TE O
THER
GIF
TS
Beacon of Life, Linda Pallwitz, (515) 244-4713 ext. 206, [email protected]
Bidwell Riverside Center, Missy Reams, (515) 244-6251 ext. 214, [email protected]
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, Lisa Majors Schissel, (515) 288-9025 ext. 229, [email protected]
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Elaine Collet, (515) 262-5695 ext. 202, [email protected]
Catholic Charities, Leslie Van Der Molen, (515) 237-5025, [email protected]
Central Iowa Shelter & Services, Andrea Cook, (515) 564-5752, [email protected]
Child Abuse Prevention Council of Warren County, Colleen Reisener, (515) 962-9171, [email protected]
Children & Families of Iowa, Kellie Doffin, (515) 697-7968, [email protected]
Children and Family Urban Movement, Atalie Ferring, (515) 282-3242, [email protected]
ChildServe, Kaylene Steele, (515) 331-8139, [email protected]
Des Moines Publich Schools—Des Moines Alternative Boys/Girls Program, Simone Freeman, (515) 242-8150, [email protected]
EMBARC, Ngan Hoang, (515) 286-3787, [email protected]
GiGi’s Playhouse, Jessica Lane, (515) 252-7529, [email protected]
Hawthorn Hill, Alissa Murphy, (515) 243-7456, [email protected]
HOME, Inc., Pam Carmichael or Molly Bennett, (515) 243-1277, [email protected] or [email protected]
Hope Ministries, Karie Ellwanger, (515) 265-7272, [email protected]
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Emma Christianson, (515) 689-2325, [email protected]
Johnston Partnership, Paul Wanderscheid, (515) 991-2951, [email protected]
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Wendy Sontag, (515) 270-6169, [email protected]
Link Associates, Cindy Spann, (515) 262-8888, [email protected]
MECCA Services, Jan Peterson, (319) 248-8783, [email protected]
Mentor Iowa, Zannie Thomas-Peckumn, (515) 277-9797, [email protected]
Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Esther Morris, (515) 244-7702 ext. 136, [email protected]
Orchard Place, Megan Ronnenberg, (515) 287-9621, [email protected]
Provide gift cards, gift certificates, etc.
DONA
TE O
THER
GIF
TS
Provide gift cards, gift certificates, etc.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
Polk County Family Enrichment Center, Jodi Trimble Dirks, (515) 286-3833, [email protected]
Urbandale Community Action Network, Mary Polson, (515) 278-3936, [email protected]
Urbandale Food Pantry, Eileen Boggess, (515) 251-6688, [email protected]
Visiting Nurse Services, Leslie Taft, (515) 558-9590, [email protected]
WesleyLife Community Services, Kelsey Morgan, (515) 699-3248, [email protected]
West Des Moines Human Services, Melinda Hotovec, (515) 222-3663, [email protected]
Young Women’s Resource Center, Kathy Parenza, (515) 244-4901, [email protected]
Youth Emergency Services & Shelter (YESS), Max Jensen, (515) 282-9377, [email protected]