Winter Family Giving

Help make the season a little warmer and a little brighter for Friends families.

This winter, Friends of the Children–Twin Cities is inviting companies, community partners, and individuals to help our 48 families celebrate the holiday season in the ways that are most meaningful to them.

Our goal is simple: provide families with a little extra flexibility, warmth, and fun during the Minnesota winter. You can participate by donating any of the following:

• Gift Cards: $25 gift cards to Amazon, Target, or Walmart. Our goal is to provide each family with at least $100 in gift cards, with additional support for larger families when possible. Gift cards give caregivers the flexibility to purchase the gifts, groceries, winter necessities, or other items their family needs most.

• Winter Gear: New coats, hats, gloves, mittens, and other cold-weather essentials in a variety of children’s sizes. If you’d rather let us do the shopping, additional gift cards are welcome and our team will purchase needed winter gear.

• Family Fun: New, unopened board games for children and families to enjoy together over winter break.

Want to make it a team effort?

Companies, departments, friend groups, and families can adopt a goal like providing $500 in gift cards, collecting 10 winter coats, and hosting a board game drive. Every contribution helps us create something meaningful for all 48 families.

Getting Your Gifts to Friends

All donations must be received by December 9. Our Friends team is happy to coordinate pickup from donors in the Twin Cities area anytime before the deadline.

Prefer to shop online? You can purchase items directly from our Amazon Wish List, and they'll be shipped directly to us.

At Friends, we believe in showing up for children and families for the long haul. Our youth are enrolled in the Friends program from kindergarten through high school graduation. A 12+ year commitment, no matter what. Winter Family Giving is one more way our broader community can join that circle of support.

Together, we can help every Friends family head into the holiday season feeling celebrated, cared for, and warm.