OAR’s Project Christmas Angel Brings Holiday Cheer to Children of Incarcerated Parents
Project Christmas Angel will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. This is an event that OAR has held for over 20 years, where we provide holiday gifts to children of incarcerated parents. Last year, we provided over 450 gifts to over 150 children. Parents of those incarcerated in the Arlington County Detention Facility and those recently released who are active in OAR programs or are on probation qualify for the program. The parent fills out a form to tell us about their child (name, age, gender, interests, etc.). At our Wrapping Party on December 16, 2015, volunteers will gather to select the childrens’ gifts from items that have been donated, wrap the gifts, and prepare them for delivery. Between December 16-21, volunteers will hand-deliver the gifts to the childrens’ homes in the metro DC area. For those children who live outside of this area, we mail the gifts to their homes.
There are several ways to get involved in this event. Donations of toys and gift cards are needed. New, unwrapped toys (no clothing or stuffed animals, please) for ages newborn to 18 are accepted. Gift cards are often given to the teens, who can be hard to shop for. We also have an Amazon wish list with gift ideas for teens. Items purchased from the Amazon wish list can be shipped directly to the OAR office. Donations may also be dropped off to the OAR office during our business hours (1400 N. Uhle Street, Suite 704, Arlington, VA 22201; Monday through Friday, 8:30am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm).
We also accept financial contributions to help cover to the cost of mailing the gifts to children who live outside the metro DC area. Checks should be made payable to OAR. Donations can also be made online via OAR’s website.
Volunteers are needed at the Wrapping Party on December 16, as well as volunteers to deliver the gifts between December 17-21. The Wrapping Party will be held from 6:30 to 8:00pm at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, VA). If you would like to volunteer for either of these opportunities, please complete the online RSVP form.
Thanks in advance for your interest in Project Christmas Angel! We look forward to brightening the holidays of hundreds of children this year, and strengthening the relationship between incarcerated parents and their children.
