As the holiday season draws near, many in Central Ohio look for powerful ways to give back. Beyond just giving gifts, organizations are doing deep, meaningful work to support children, families, seniors, and people facing hardship. Here is a list of current holiday giving programs in the Central Ohio area, how they operate, and how you can help.
Local Holiday Giving Programs:
Franklin County Children Services — Holiday Wish
This long-running program supports children and teens under the care of FCCS. You can donate a new toy, sponsor a child, host a toy drive, give to their Children’s Fund, or volunteer.
Besa — WISH Holiday Gift Drive
Besa’s WISH program supports seniors in Central Ohio who are living on fixed incomes. Volunteers adopt a senior’s wish list, purchase and wrap the gifts, and drop them off during Besa’s Winter Wonderland event in early December.
The Buckeye Ranch — Hope for the Holidays
You will get a personalized wish list with both needs and wants so you can shop meaningfully for a young person. You can also support via their Amazon wish list or donate, which goes directly toward their holiday program and beyond.
Home for Families — Holiday Joy!
Home for Families runs a “Holiday Joy!” program for families who are facing housing or financial crisis. You can host a toy drive, shop from their wish list, make monetary donations, or volunteer to sort, wrap, and load gifts.
YWCA Columbus — Holiday Market
The YWCA’s Holiday Market lets residents at their Family Center and Women’s Residency “shop” from a curated wish list. Donors buy gifts for that wish list, and any leftover items are repurposed throughout the year into other YWCA programs.
This foundation raises funds that benefit a wide variety of Central Ohio charities. Donations support organizations such as childhood centers, hospitals, homeless services, youth programs, and more.
Columbus Dream Center — Christmas Hope
The Dream Center provides holiday support via “Christmas Hope” through its outreach programs. You can volunteer, donate meals or goods, or support their holiday outreach to families and individuals.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital — Holiday Toy Program
Nationwide Children’s Hospital accepts new, full-tagged toys and gift cards (Amazon, Walmart, Target) to support patients and their families. Their wish list includes art supplies, fidget toys, books, and developmental toys. These are all chosen with infection control and safety in mind.
Huckleberry House — Holiday Gift Drive
Huckleberry House supports youth facing homelessness or crisis. Through their holiday gift drive, donors can sign up to purchase specific items from wish lists, wrap gifts, and drop them off at scheduled times.
These programs do more than distribute holiday cheer. They create moments of connection, offer stability during times of crisis, and provide relief that lasts well beyond the season. When you choose to give, in any form, you are reminding someone that their community sees them, values them, and wants to help lighten the load.
We would love to hear how you choose to give back during the holidays. Your ideas can help expand this list and inspire others to find meaningful ways to support our neighbors.
