Holiday Project 2012 is over! Thanks to all who made the season bright for others!
Thank you to our 2012 Holiday Project top sponsors and donors!
Sponsors
UPMC – sponsored 1,200 children
PNC Bank – sponsored 500 children
Shadyside Academy – sponsored 100 children
Collection Drives
AFL-CIO Allegheny County Labor Council
Lisa Kuzma with the Richard King Mellon Foundation
Keystone State Wrestling Alliance
Madison Long
Pittsburgh Pirates – Pirates Fest
The Young Lawyers Division of the Allegheny County Bar Association
Three Rivers Leather Club
Donations
CentiMark
Citizens Bank
Half Price Books
Trau & Loevner
Partners
Pittsburgh Steelers – annual autograph session for children and youth
Volunteers
Brashear High School – C.H.A.N.G.E.S. Program
KEYS AmeriCorps
How to participate in the Holiday Project
Beginning in September, the DHS Office of Community Relations makes it easy to brighten a child or young person’s holidays
Individual sponsors and donors
Individuals are invited to participate in the Holiday Project by either choosing to sponsor an individual child or by making a purchase based on the 
“Hottest Toys and Gifts” and/or the "Children's Books that Celebrate Diversity lists."
Now it’s easier than ever to support the Holiday Project with the Amazon.com Holiday Project Wish List! Donors can choose from our most-needed holiday gifts and books, and purchases are shipped directly to our Holiday Project Workshop. Gifts 
start at under $5, so everyone can contribute!
Scan the code (on right) to access the Holiday Project Wish List from your smart phone!
Group sponsorship
Sponsorship drives, led by a member of the group, are a great way to support the Holiday Project. Groups are provided with the age, gender and wish list for as many children as they agree to sponsor. Holiday Project marketing kit
Group donors to the Open Donations Collection
Groups may choose to purchase and donate gifts to supply the Holiday Project Open Donations Collection. We provide ideas on the “Hottest Toys and Gifts” and the "Children's Books that Celebrate Diversity" lists. We encourage donors to review the list of suggested items before heading out to the stores to shop. We are always in need of toys, books and gifts that relate to children of all ages from diverse cultures.
Holiday Project marketing kit
Pick–up and delivery of gifts and monetary donations
- Groups that donate gifts for 20 or more children a/o youth may arrange for a one-time gift pick-up at a local location of choice.
- Individuals may deliver their unwrapped gifts at the Human Service Building located at One Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, 15222 between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
- Check should be made payable to: DHS Donations Fund with “Holiday Project” on the memo line and mailed to: DHS Event and Donations Team, Human Services Building, One Smithfield Street, First Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
- Gifts may be dropped off at several locations in the county.
Hottest toys and gifts
Gifts must be new and unwrapped (Rolls of holiday giftwrap are welcomed). As a guideline, we try to provide each child with a gift(s) valued at a minimum of $25.
Hottest Toys and Gifts
Children's Books that Celebrate Diversity
General gift ideas
- Bicycles and other riding toys (please include a helmet)
- Books with diverse cultural themes for children of all ages
- Creative kits (e.g., art, science) for school-age children
- Developmental toys for infants and toddlers
- Dolls and action figures with a full range of skin tones
- Hat, glove and scarf sets
- Imaginative play toys for school-age children
- Music-related electronics
- Neckties/tie clips
- Purses, jewelry, make-up
- Remote control toys
- Wallets
- Watches
What is the DHS Holiday Project?
Since the late 1960s, the DHS Holiday Project has provided a holiday gift to children and youth who receive services through the Allegheny County child welfare system. From its humble beginning, the DHS Holiday Project has matured into our most successful grassroots public-private partnership. Through the generosity of county residents—including employees of corporations, school groups, faith-based organizations and individuals—tens of thousands of holiday mornings have been brightened. More about the DHS Holiday Project.
Who are the children that benefit from the DHS Holiday Project?
All of the children and youth who receive gifts through the Holiday Project are from families that are receiving child welfare services through the DHS Office of Children, Youth and Families, the county agency charged with protecting children from abuse and neglect. Most are living with their families while receiving in-home or community-based services to help strengthen the positive aspects of the family. Some are living in an out-of-home placement such as a foster home or a group home. Recipients of gifts include newborns, toddlers, school-age children, teenagers and young adults. In every case, gifts from the Holiday Project provide an invaluable sense of normalcy for children and youth whose lives are shaped by daily challenges.
How are gifts provided?
Children may receive gifts through the Holiday Project in one of two ways.
- A sponsor may be matched with a specific child and given his/her wish list to make shopping easier and more personal. Though it remains anonymous, many people prefer this option since they have the satisfaction of knowing they purchased a “wished-for” gift.
- A donor may make a gift or monetary contribution to the Holiday Project Open Donations Collection. Gifts are categorized by age group and displayed so that caseworkers of non-sponsored children may “shop” for an ideal gift. Monetary donations are used to increase the pool of culturally diverse gifts and those in much- needed age ranges such as infant and teen. Each is a welcomed form of giving as each answers a critical need.
For more information or to arrange to participate in the DHS Holiday Project please contact:
Event and Donations Team at 412-350-3428
or by email at EventandDonationsTeam@AlleghenyCounty.us