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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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UPDATE!!!! LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Hi ladies (and gents, too),
As a lot of you know, for the past few years I have run a Holiday Donation drive here on LIF to benefit (mostly LIF) kids whose parents need help giving them a great holiday. We provide toys, books, clothes, etc, through donations from LIFers. Over just the years that I've been running it, I estimate that we have helped about 30 children have a good holiday season. I took it over from another LIFer who used to run it, when she couldn't do it any more due to work and family obligations. This year, I had planned on completely revamping the way I run it, doing Amazon gift registries for each child among other things.
However, this year we sold our house in a short sale and have moved into a much smaller place. As much as I would absolutely love to continue doing this (my kids are already asking, "When are we going to start organizing the presents?!") I have zero storage space and just can't see a way to make it work here. I am so sad about this, but am hoping that another LIFer will step up and run it.
I am not going to lie. It is a lot of work. If this is something you want to do, you should:
1- Have a lot of storage space available.
2- Be able to be very organized.
3- Be ok with spending a lot of time in the car. As much as I always say that everyone donating should be able to drop off and everyone receiving should be ok with picking up, it NEVER works out that way.
4- Live somewhere where you can receive lots of deliveries in a single day. UPS was frequently at my house 3-4 times a day, and there were times I came home to find my entire front porch blocked by packages.
5- Be able to spend more than an hour a day answering FMs and emails and organizing presents.
I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer because it is an absolutely amazing thing and my kids and I have SO much fun doing it, but I definitely want people to know what they are getting into with it. I would be thrilled to meet with you if you are thinking of doing it and explain to you exactly how I ran it and give you some ideas, pointers, and specifics.
Please FM me if it's something you are interested in and we can talk further! If no one feels like they can take it on, I will definitely keep it going, just maybe on a smaller scale.
***UPDATE***
Thank you for all your responses and FMs. I have found a way to keep doing it (I really didn't want to give it up, I love it so much  )
My church which is about a block away from me, is giving me access to the area where they store their outreach gifts to store my stuff. I'm so excited! Thanks for everyone who offered... I'm just on cloud nine that I'm going to be able to keep going with it. 
Message edited 9/30/2014 5:24:00 PM.
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Posted 9/24/14 12:48 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Maybe people can share this responsibility like by towns or areas? It is a lot for one person. I'd be happy to help if it were a smaller group I'd be working with. I live in Shirley so could cover say Sayville to Hamptons area on the South Shore.
Let me know if you think a more regional approach will work.
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| Posted 9/24/14 12:53 PM |
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WannaBeAMom11
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 7391 total posts
Name:
Name
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LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
I can't take on the responsibility and I am amazed at how you have gotten it done every year. How about instead of one person collecting and dropping it off you request the receiver of the gifts set up a Walmart, toys r us and amazon wishlist. We all could buy the gifts and have them directly shipped to the individuals. I'm sure you liked to have everything delivered in bulk but since that may not be possible us all having them delivered may be the best bet. If someone wants to not buy off the wishlist then its their responsibility to mail the package to the recipients.
Just an idea.
I look forward to this every year as do many of the other women on this board.
Message edited 9/24/2014 1:13:13 PM.
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| Posted 9/24/14 1:10 PM |
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LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Just wanted to say that I think you're amazing. :)
I wish I had the space ...but things have changed for me as well.
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| Posted 9/24/14 1:21 PM |
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JRsMaMa
LIF Adult
Member since 11/07 2044 total posts
Name:
Jake's Mama
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Posted by WannaBeAMom11
I can't take on the responsibility and I am amazed at how you have gotten it done every year. How about instead of one person collecting and dropping it off you request the receiver of the gifts set up a Walmart, toys r us and amazon wishlist. We all could buy the gifts and have them directly shipped to the individuals. I'm sure you liked to have everything delivered in bulk but since that may not be possible us all having them delivered may be the best bet. If someone wants to not buy off the wishlist then its their responsibility to mail the package to the recipients.
Just an idea.
I look forward to this every year as do many of the other women on this board.
I would do it if I had the space but I live in a small apartment. I've been donating for a few years now and would love if someone could take over it or the suggestion above seems like a good one. Or maybe... I think someone mentioned doing a couple of families. I wouldn't mind being responsible for a family or 2. I have the room for that or I'd make the room.
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| Posted 9/24/14 1:29 PM |
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kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
Member since 8/07 12475 total posts
Name:
Keri
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Posted by WannaBeAMom11
I can't take on the responsibility and I am amazed at how you have gotten it done every year. How about instead of one person collecting and dropping it off you request the receiver of the gifts set up a Walmart, toys r us and amazon wishlist. We all could buy the gifts and have them directly shipped to the individuals. I'm sure you liked to have everything delivered in bulk but since that may not be possible us all having them delivered may be the best bet. If someone wants to not buy off the wishlist then its their responsibility to mail the package to the recipients.
Just an idea.
I look forward to this every year as do many of the other women on this board.
If there was a way to make an anonymous wishlist- this could work.
I may be able to help out.
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| Posted 9/24/14 1:55 PM |
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2BadSoSad
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6791 total posts
Name:
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Im in a co-op, with not a ton of space, but if no one with more room steps up, let me know and I will definitely do it. If it takes over my bedroom for a few weeks, Ill live.
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| Posted 9/24/14 2:12 PM |
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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Posted by BaseballWidow
Maybe people can share this responsibility like by towns or areas? It is a lot for one person. I'd be happy to help if it were a smaller group I'd be working with. I live in Shirley so could cover say Sayville to Hamptons area on the South Shore.
Let me know if you think a more regional approach will work.
Basically how it works is that parents submit a wish list of things their child needs (clothes, underwear, a coat, etc) and things that they want for the holiday (toys, etc) and people volunteer to buy items. People usually have items shipped to me, I organize everything by family, and the parent comes to pick up a few days before Christmas, or we make arrangements to get the stuff to the family. So while splitting everything up sounds awesome in theory, I'm not really sure how it would work as far as keeping track of what has been purchased, what needs to be purchased, etc. KWIM?
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| Posted 9/24/14 3:12 PM |
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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Posted by WannaBeAMom11
I can't take on the responsibility and I am amazed at how you have gotten it done every year. How about instead of one person collecting and dropping it off you request the receiver of the gifts set up a Walmart, toys r us and amazon wishlist. We all could buy the gifts and have them directly shipped to the individuals. I'm sure you liked to have everything delivered in bulk but since that may not be possible us all having them delivered may be the best bet. If someone wants to not buy off the wishlist then its their responsibility to mail the package to the recipients.
Just an idea.
I look forward to this every year as do many of the other women on this board.
This is what my husband and I wanted to were thinking about, but it completely destroys the anonymity of it. There are very frequent posters who have received this help, and I feel as though it would dissuade people from seeking assistance if everyone knew who it was. Is there any way to make it more anonymous, somehow?
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| Posted 9/24/14 3:14 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
I have plenty of room and can take shipments but I don't have the time to pick up stuff and would need help delivering and putting things together.
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| Posted 9/24/14 3:18 PM |
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WannaBeAMom11
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 7391 total posts
Name:
Name
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Posted by alli3131
I have plenty of room and can take shipments but I don't have the time to pick up stuff and would need help delivering and putting things together.
I would be more than willing to help out. I think pick ups would have to be shelved this year. Where do you live? I'm in Suffolk so I wouldn't mind being the Suffolk drop off location if you are in Nassau.
If a couple of people could help I think that would make everyone's lives easier.
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| Posted 9/24/14 3:35 PM |
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WannaBeAMom11
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 7391 total posts
Name:
Name
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Posted by OffWithHerHead23
Posted by WannaBeAMom11
I can't take on the responsibility and I am amazed at how you have gotten it done every year. How about instead of one person collecting and dropping it off you request the receiver of the gifts set up a Walmart, toys r us and amazon wishlist. We all could buy the gifts and have them directly shipped to the individuals. I'm sure you liked to have everything delivered in bulk but since that may not be possible us all having them delivered may be the best bet. If someone wants to not buy off the wishlist then its their responsibility to mail the package to the recipients.
Just an idea.
I look forward to this every year as do many of the other women on this board.
This is what my husband and I wanted to were thinking about, but it completely destroys the anonymity of it. There are very frequent posters who have received this help, and I feel as though it would dissuade people from seeking assistance if everyone knew who it was. Is there any way to make it more anonymous, somehow?
I don't think so for amazon but toys r us wishlists can be. I believe.
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| Posted 9/24/14 3:37 PM |
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blu6385
Member since 5/08 8351 total posts
Name:
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LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
do we have to wrap the presents? if not I can consider doing this. I do have plenty of room and I love to organize!
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| Posted 9/24/14 3:47 PM |
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Jenn627
Laaaaaaaambert!
Member since 5/08 9818 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
I have everything needed except organizational skills.
I wish I could help but I don't want to screw anything up. I'm in Eastern Nassau.
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| Posted 9/24/14 4:24 PM |
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Maddie180
LIF Adult
Member since 2/07 1992 total posts
Name:
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Posted by WannaBeAMom11
Posted by alli3131
I have plenty of room and can take shipments but I don't have the time to pick up stuff and would need help delivering and putting things together.
I would be more than willing to help out. I think pick ups would have to be shelved this year. Where do you live? I'm in Suffolk so I wouldn't mind being the Suffolk drop off location if you are in Nassau.
If a couple of people could help I think that would make everyone's lives easier.
I could also help with picking things up. I live in a tiny condo, so I cannot store anything, but I'd love to help if needed.
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| Posted 9/24/14 4:29 PM |
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Posted by OffWithHerHead23
Posted by BaseballWidow
Maybe people can share this responsibility like by towns or areas? It is a lot for one person. I'd be happy to help if it were a smaller group I'd be working with. I live in Shirley so could cover say Sayville to Hamptons area on the South Shore.
Let me know if you think a more regional approach will work.
Basically how it works is that parents submit a wish list of things their child needs (clothes, underwear, a coat, etc) and things that they want for the holiday (toys, etc) and people volunteer to buy items. People usually have items shipped to me, I organize everything by family, and the parent comes to pick up a few days before Christmas, or we make arrangements to get the stuff to the family. So while splitting everything up sounds awesome in theory, I'm not really sure how it would work as far as keeping track of what has been purchased, what needs to be purchased, etc. KWIM?
It could be very simple if you just had multiple people doing what you did. They would be the point person for an "area". Tell the families in need to contact person A for getting their wishlist out, Person A would publish the list, get people to sign up, receive and distribute the gifts for their "area" families. And you would have person B, C, D, etc.
You would just need a few people to cover the Island. I'd be more than happy to help you organize it.
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| Posted 9/24/14 6:08 PM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
How many families are typically involved? It may not be so bad to have maybe 4 volunteers to collect for a few families each. It may actually be easier since the wish list gets so long and it can be tough to go through it all and see what's still needed. If each point person did a separate post and those that donate can pick one list to stick to. I know you've left big shoes to fill and you've done an amazing job in the past so it's intimidating for one person to take on. Maybe splitting it up would be more manageable.
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| Posted 9/24/14 6:20 PM |
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Posted by BaseballWidow
Maybe people can share this responsibility like by towns or areas? It is a lot for one person. I'd be happy to help if it were a smaller group I'd be working with. I live in Shirley so could cover say Sayville to Hamptons area on the South Shore.
Let me know if you think a more regional approach will work.
This.
And it would probably help to organize a committee to meet in person and make sure you get actual people you know you can count on to help.
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| Posted 9/24/14 6:37 PM |
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CellarDweller
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 1562 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
That's so much work! I can't believe you were doing it on your own!
I don't have storage space but would be willing to pick up/deliver.
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| Posted 9/24/14 7:00 PM |
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Kitten1929
LIF Adult
Member since 1/13 6040 total posts
Name:
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LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
I'm in if you want to have multiple people involved - I have plenty of room, time and organization. If you want to designate people by area, I can handle Eastern Suffolk.
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| Posted 9/24/14 7:10 PM |
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WannaBeAMom11
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 7391 total posts
Name:
Name
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LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Let me know the final decision and what I need to help. I'm in western Suffolk.
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| Posted 9/24/14 8:01 PM |
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Maddie180
LIF Adult
Member since 2/07 1992 total posts
Name:
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
Posted by WannaBeAMom11
Let me know the final decision and what I need to help. I'm in western Suffolk.
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| Posted 9/24/14 8:30 PM |
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MichLiz213
Life is Good!
Member since 7/07 7979 total posts
Name:
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LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
I don't have the space, but I'd be more than happy to volunteer to help organize gifts. I'm in Suffolk.
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| Posted 9/24/14 8:31 PM |
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BigB
C & J are 10!
Member since 6/05 5914 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
You know what I think...I think it is amazing that so many people are willing to help out in some way! That makes me feel good! I am in the Bronx, so I am no help at all but I do buy!
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| Posted 9/24/14 8:40 PM |
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LIF Holiday Donation Thread- Need help, you guys!
I can help. I am amazed by the generosity of people on this site. Let me know!
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| Posted 9/24/14 9:12 PM |
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