Every year, through the YMCA Giving Tree, community members - young and old - have the opportunity to bring joy, spread light, and make holiday wishes come true to those in need in the Fargo/Moorhead/West Fargo community. Read below to learn more about the Y's giving efforts this holiday season and find an opportunity that fits with you and your family.
How to Help Provide Gifts
Each year we count on our community to ensure that children in our area can celebrate the joy and magic of the holiday season by supporting the Y's Giving Tree through gift items and monetary donations. Your generosity brings so much joy and hope to families who may not otherwise have presents to open this season! We ask that gifts be delivered to the Fercho YMCA (400 1st Ave. S. Fargo) or Schlossman YMCA (4243 19th Ave S, Fargo) by the dates listed below to ensure that families can enjoy them. Read below to learn how you can support the effort!
Shop for Local Children:
Starting Nov. 1, Giving Trees will be set up at both Fercho and Schlossman YMCAs and additional locations in our community. You have the opportunity to stuff a gift bag with wish list items specific to a child and/or family. To do so, please grab a tag from the Giving Tree in the lobby of either YMCA location, and register your tag at the Member Services Desk. These tags will be available starting November 1, 2023. We ask that you put together gifts based on the items listed on the tag and are appropriate for the age and gender listed. We also ask that gifts are new, unwrapped, and dropped off at the Fercho or Schlossman YMCA Member Services Desk by December 8, 2023.
Supply Popular Gift Request
Help us supply some popular "staple" items, like gift cards, books, blocks, puzzles, LED track lights, Pokémon cards, slime, art supplies, and even essentials like clothing, winter gear, and blankets for children ages infant through 17. We will make sure that these items get intentionally placed in the most appropriate bags. Additionally, we welcome donations to help us package and transport gift, such as wrapping paper, tissue paper, and garbage bags. New, unwrapped donations can be dropped off by December 8, 2024 at the Fercho YMCA Member Services Desk.
Need some ideas for gifts? Have no fear - we've created a couple registries to help:
Volunteer
Looking for a simple and fun way to connect your family and friends with the needs in our community – JOIN THE YMCA ELF SQUAD! Provide a chance for the young and young at heart in your life to give back this holiday season! We need you to help 'cause a stir' and sort gifts, fill wish lists, unload gifts, and distribute gifts that will bring joy to more than 1,600 children in our community. It's a great way to volunteer and it's an experience that's sure to bring you joy! Multiple shifts are available morning, noon, and night – no experience required! Sign up to help:
Donate Monetarily or Become a Sponsor
Visit our Giving page and make a cash donation that will allow our team to directly purchase the gift items that are most requested by families and ensure that every participant receives gifts and much needed necessities this holiday season.
2023 Giving Tree Sponsors
A special note of thanks goes to our Giving Tree Sponsors - thank you for helping us serve more children in need in our community this holiday season. We are so grateful for your generosity!
Supporting Sponsors
Tree and Tag Sponsors
Whatever holiday you and your family are celebrating this season, we wish you peace, joy, and hope!