Looking for a way to give back this Christmas Season?
2012 Austin Adopt-a-Family Toy & Food Drives

UT-Austin law school students collect toys over the holidays.
There are so many opportunities to share in Austin this Christmas and these nonprofits and drives make it easy. Here is a link to the site Giving City Austin. This site will provide many giving opportunities this season if you are interested.
If your office, class or group is looking for a giving opportunity, consider adopting a family. Children and teens can learn a little about giving (and appreciate what they get) when they adopt a senior or another child. You might consider hosting a drive for one of these campaigns yourself by asking party guests to bring a toy. Many of these projects also need volunteers. What would be more fun than wrapping toys and gifts for kids?
A warning: Volunteer slots and even donation opportunities fill up pretty quickly. I guarantee you, this will totally make your holiday. Don’t miss out!
Don’t forget to check out the comments section of this post! Some last-minute additions from other nonprofits.
Bastrop Adopt a Family
Here’s your chance to help one of the families affected by the wildfires in Bastrop County. Because it’s hard to start from nothing for the holidays.
Foundation Communities Holiday Assistance
Foundation Communities provides affordable housing communities for families across Austin. Donate online or complete a sponsor form to help a low-income family this year.
Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program
Look for Salvation Army trees set up in businesses, churches, or malls to brighten an underprivileged youth’s holiday season.
Holiday Wishes Partnerships for Children
Donate Christmas presents to kids in Child Protection Services.
Lifeworks Project Holiday Help
Adopt a family, sponsor a party, or simply donate necessities to help out needy Capitol area families during the holiday season.
The Christmas Bureau of Austin
(Not sure this one’s happening this year. No word yet, but we’ll let you know!) Families apply to participate, you review applications to choose your family. Choose a senior living on her own or a multi-generational family.
SafePlace Sponsor a Family
SafePlace helps men, women and children who are victims of domestic or sexual abuse. Donors are assigned a family or individual living in their transitional housing.
Family Eldercare’s Holiday Giving Drive
Make the Holidays brighter by sponsoring gifts for seniors and adults with disabilities who would otherwise not receive gifts this Holiday Season.
Any Baby Can Wish List
You can donate items from the wish list all year but how fun would it be to make gift baskets for new moms?
Orange Santa
UT-Austin invites students and staff to drop off toys at various locations around campus.
Blue Santa
Municipal employees adopt families and you help by donating items, donating money or volunteering. Families needing assistance can visit several application sites.
Brown Santa
The Travis County Sheriff’s raises money by hosting a 5K run, a motorcycle ride and accepting your donations. Families needing assistance can visit several application sites.
P.S. If you need help, most of these websites tell you how to apply for assistance. You should also try calling 2-1-1 and ask for holiday help. Remember: Sign up as soon as possible. Most of these drives run out of items long before they run out of people who need them.