Become a Community Elf!
What is the Basic Needs Community Elves Program?
The Community Elves Program matches individuals and families in South Washington County who are currently supported by Washington County Services with community sponsors who anonymously provide gifts for the holidays. Community sponsors can be individuals, families, friend groups, businesses, faith groups, or any one wanting to participate. Community Elves bring joy to families in need during the holiday season. More information is below!
Q: Who can participate as a sponsor?
A: Sponsoring a family or individual for the holidays is a great opportunity for individuals, families, faith groups, groups of friends, and businesses.
Q: Who receives the gifts if I am a sponsor?
A: The recipients who benefit from the Community Elf Holiday Gift Program are low-income individuals and families currently supported by Washington County Services.
Q: How do I get involved?
A: Register to sponsor an individual or family of 2 or more.
Q: When will I know who I’m sponsoring?
A: Sponsors will be matched with families starting in early November. You will receive your family’s wish list(s) by November 15. We will do our best to match sponsors with families that are served in their general location.
Q: How do I know what to buy and how much to spend?
A: Sponsors receive specific gift ideas, based on a maximum $50-per-person guideline. Sponsors are not expected to purchase all suggestions, but can choose the ones that they prefer within the suggested $50/person guideline. In the spirit of equity for all our client families, if you want to spend more than $50 per person, please consider sponsoring more people/families. We do request that all gifts be new items. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept used gifts.
Q: Should I include a gift receipt?
A: Sponsors are encouraged to include gift receipts, in case an exchange is necessary.
Q: Do I wrap the presents?
A: Yes, please wrap and label each gift with the recipient’s family/individual number, gender, and birthdate.
Q: Once I’ve wrapped the presents, how do I label them and keep them together?
A: Place wrapped and labeled gifts in a sturdy plastic garbage bag, along with the family number. Clearly label the garbage bag(s) and tape the family number to the outside of the bag. Please do not overfill bags.
Q: What if I have multiple bags?
Many bags will be dropped off in a very short period of time, so each bag must be labeled correctly with the family number you are sponsoring.
Q: When and where do I drop off my gifts?
A: Sponsors deliver bags of gifts to the Basic Needs Office location at 445 Broadway Ave, St. Paul Park, MN 55071 by December 15. Volunteers will be available to accept gifts between 10am and 2pm on December 16, unless alternate arrangements have been made with Basic Needs Staff. Pick up of the gifts by recipients will occur Dec 18 between the hours of 10AM-2PM.
Q: If my group is sponsoring multiple families, can we drop off presents for each family separately?
A: Yes, if you or your group is sponsoring more than one family it is okay to drop them off at different times. Please remember to label each gift and bag clearly with the family number.
Q: How do the gifts get to the families?
A: Once we have received the gifts from you, we contact the families to pick up the gifts at the St. Paul Park Basic Needs office.