Every act of generosity counts during the holiday season, whether that means sponsoring Christmas presents for a child in need, purchasing food for animals at the Dare County Animal Shelter or volunteering with toy distribution through a local charitable foundation.
In the true spirit of the “Season of Giving,” various Dare County departments are coordinating efforts to connect volunteers and donors with opportunities to give back to those in the community who need support during the holiday season. The list below contains several giving opportunities that are coordinated through Dare County entities.
Toys for Tots of Dare County provides toys for children in need. Toys for Tots of Dare County is currently accepting monetary donations on their website as well as toy donations for children up to 16 years of age by way of drop-off boxes that are located throughout Dare and Currituck counties. Visit the “Toys for Tots of Dare and Currituck Counties, NC” Facebook page for a list of drop-off locations.
On Black Friday, November 24, 2023, volunteers from Dare County EMS, and local police and fire departments will run a “Stuff the Ambulance” campaign at the Walmart Supercenter in Kitty Hawk and Target in Kill Devil Hills. Between the hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. volunteers will be stationed at the front entrance of the Walmart and Target with a Dare County EMS ambulance to solicit shoppers to purchase toys in an effort to fill the ambulance with toys for local children.
The deadline for donations via the county-wide drop-off boxes is December 8, 2022. The distribution of the collected toys will take place December 9, 2022. To volunteer with the Toys for Tots of Dare County program, click here to complete an online application.
For more information about the Toys for Tots of Dare County program, please click here or contact the coordinator, Anthony Hoggard at 252-226-0417.
The Outer Banks Woman’s Club is seeking sponsors and donors for their Angel Gift Program, now in its 37th year. The club partners with the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services, whose role is to screen the applicants.
Families eligible for the Angel Gift Program who live north of the Oregon Inlet must be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, however unique situations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, applicants must provide proof of income and a completed application. Due to increased participation, priority will be given to eligible families who were not assisted last year. Additional families will be included, as funds permit, on a first come, first-served basis.
For more information regarding sponsorship or donation opportunities, please contact the Outer Banks Woman’s Club, P.O. Box 102, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. 27948 or call 252.284.4040. For more information about this program, please click here.
The coalition that implements the Hatteras Island Angel Gift program is seeking sponsors, donors and applicants for the upcoming holiday season. The program is provided in collaboration with individuals, businesses, churches and other organizations committed to providing Christmas joy for children on Hatteras Island. The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services works with these organizations to provide referrals, administrative support and identify family needs.
For questions regarding the program, or to make a donation, please contact the program coordinator, Linda Oneal at 252.475.4390. For questions regarding applications, please contact Jessica Nonnenmocher at nonnenmocherj@darenc.gov or 252.475.9320.
The Virginia S. Tillett Center (VTCC) in Manteo is collecting items that are needed for local elderly and disabled individuals within Dare County. A container is set up in the front lobby of the VTCC where individuals can drop off any of the following items to help support the elderly and disabled community during the winter and holiday season.
New, unused item requests include toiletries, blankets, sunscreen, first aid kits, playing cards, puzzle books, laundry detergent, stationary, dish towels, flashlights, and any other new, unused item that you feel would uplift this population.
Donations should be dropped off at the VTCC by December 8, 2023. For more information, contact VTCC staff at 252-475-9270.
Through the Elves Program, the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ Social Services Division pairs a donor with an elderly or disabled adult in Dare County. The donor then receives a wish list to shop for. Many items on the wish list include basic necessities such as clothing, food and everyday household items. Gifts need to be wrapped and ready during drop off times on December 1, 4, or 5.
To sponsor an elderly or disabled adult in Dare County, please contact Jessica Everett at jessica.everett@darenc.gov or 252.475.5539.
An effort coordinated by county-wide public safety volunteers from Dare County EMS and local police and fire departments, the title, “Lights of Christmas,” represents public safety “lights,” shining a different light on the uniform.
Through this program, public safety volunteers accept applications for donations through the Lights of Christmas Facebook page, which are verified by the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ Social Services Division. To sponsor a child in need, please submit your request by way of a message to the Lights of Christmas Facebook page as soon as possible. Monetary donations to aid volunteers in shopping for each child are also requested.
To learn more about this program, please visit the Lights of Christmas Facebook page.
Don’t forget about the homeless animals at the Dare County Animal Shelter this holiday season. The Outer Banks SPCA’s Amazon and Chewy.com wish lists that are available at OBXspca.org/Donate cover a range of price points, and you have the option to ship your items directly to the shelter.
OBX SPCA wish lists can be accessed online at OBXspca.org/donate.