Mid-November
- This is your deadline for selecting a parish ministry or local nonprofit organization that will be the focus of your gift giving. Be sure to reach out to the ministry or nonprofit so that you are aware of their specific needs and when’s an ideal time to deliver your gifts. This will affect your planning, so be flexible!
- Start by talking with your pastor or the parish ministries you know about that could use your help. Does your parish have a food pantry? You can collect needed canned goods or other items. Does your parish have a tutoring program or daycare program for those in need? You can collect books and school supplies.
- When you reach out, be mindful that these ministries may have very specific requests or needs at this time of year. Honor their requests and remember that they know the community they serve better than you do.
- You should also decide if you will plan a simple fundraiser like a Christmas cookie and/or bake sale to benefit the ministry or nonprofit you are working with. Plan a time for baking as a team and then selling items before and/or after one or more of the well-attended Masses at your parish.
Before Thanksgiving
- Begin to publicize the details of your gift collection through e-mail, social media, and traditional means of communicating in your parish. Make a list of what you will collect. If you only need a specific number of an item, ask people to sign-up for what they can give.
- Let young adults know when/where you will be collecting items.
- Talk with the parish staff about when/where you will hold your Christmas cookie/baked good sale.
First Week of December
- Send out reminders to young adults about the details of your collection and fundraiser if you’re having one.
- This week (or next) is probably the best time to have the fundraiser at your parish — before everyone is overwhelmed with Christmas preparations. Be sure to let everyone know where the proceeds from the sale will be donated.
- Bake and sell cookies, cakes, breads, etc., that might be easy to freeze and save for upcoming Christmas gatherings. Have a few single-serve items on hand for someone who just wants a snack.
Second or Third Week of December
- This is probably when you’ll collect and then deliver your items. If you are planning to make the delivery as a group, meet and pray before you bring the gifts to their destination.
- Take photos of the items you collected and of the drop-off itself and share these on social media, through e-mail, and even on the parish website for others to see.
Ideas
- Plan time to volunteer with the parish ministry or nonprofit organization where you are making your donation. If schedules are too busy in December, set something up for the New Year.
- If you have a fundraiser, consider baking a massive quantity of two or three items. This makes it easier if you are baking as a group and also simpler to price items for the sale.
- You might want to partner with the youth ministry at your parish for this service opportunity. The more, the merrier!
