• What is a Sponsor? Sponsors provide generous support to a family or individual facing financial hardship during the holidays.
• Important Considerations for 2024 Sponsors: This year, we are inviting Sponsors to contribute either Walmart gift cards or monetary donations toward purchasing Walmart gift cards. We request that gift cards are made in denominations of $25.
• Donation Deadline: DECEMBER 2. All Sponsor donations (monetary and gift cards) are asked to be dropped off on or before December 2, 2024 to Community Thread, 2300 Orleans St. W., Stillwater, MN 55082.
• Why Walmart gift cards? There are a number of reasons for this change.

1. 1. Walmart gift cards offer the security needed to ensure that the value on the card is accurate.
   2. Walmart gift cards instill dignity in Holiday Hope recipients.
   3. Walmart gift cards protect the privacy of Holiday Hope recipients.
   4. Walmart gift cards provides more value on the dollar, which increases purchasing choice.
   5. Walmart gift cards allow recipients to shop at a store location that is convenient to them, and order online.

Community Thread made the switch from accepting personally selected gifts to gift cards in 2020 in response to Covid-19. That year, a participant survey found that 71% of Holiday Hope recipients preferred only getting gift cards and doing the shopping themselves. 

Lastly, Community Thread can stretch donation dollars further by buying gift cards in bulk, resulting in more participants being served.

Community Thread will continue to provide grocery gift cards to all Holiday Hope recipients. Family sponsors do NOT need to supply grocery cards.

• Why donate? By donating to Holiday Hope, whether monetary and gift contributions, you are giving the gift of hope to families, children, older adults, and adults with disabilities during the holiday season.
• What to donate? Monetary donations and gift donations are welcome and appreciated. Monetary donations are used to purchase gift cards to support Holiday Hope recipients, including families, children, older adults, and adults with disabilities. Gift donations are used to fill our Gift Room, which provides personalized shopping for those looking for a more traditional experience.
• Monetary Donations: Accepted online, in person, or by mail to Community Thread, 2300 Orleans St. W., Stillwater, MN 55082
• Gift Donations: Please review the 2024 Wish List for preferred items that are guaranteed to put a smile on someone’s face! Donations can be dropped off at Community Thread, 2300 Orleans St. W. Stillwater, MN 55082, Monday – Friday, 9am-4pm

Community Thread will continue to provide grocery gift cards to all Holiday Hope recipients.

•  Why volunteer? Volunteers are an essential piece to the Holiday Hope puzzle. From assisting with recipient registration or assembling gift card packets, to organizing donations and transforming boxes of gifts into the Gift Room, you are supporting your neighbors who are facing financial hardship this year.
• When do I volunteer? Volunteer positions will begin October 22 and end on December 20. Shifts and days vary, please login to Get Connected for more information.
• How do I sign up as a volunteer? All volunteers will need to create a Get Connected account to volunteer for Holiday Hope this year. Click the button below to get started. If you have questions, please reach out to Kate Caffrey, Volunteer Engagement Director, at Kate@CommunityThreadMN.org.

•  What is a Local Supporter? A Local Supporter is an individual, business, organization, or agency that chooses to support Holiday Hope by hosting a donation bin for gifts to be donated at their location, and is dedicated to sharing Holiday Hope’s goal of serving families and individuals in Central Washington County who are facing financial hardship.
  • NOTE: Gift Wish Lists can be printed here or can be provided by Community Thread. This year, Community Thread encourages you to get creative and design your own donation bin that best suits your place of business.
• How do I become a Local Supporter? If you are interested in being a Local Supporter (hosting a donation bin on site and sharing our mission with your customers, clients, friends, and followers), please reach out to Cathleen Hess, Director of Development, at Cathleen@CommunityThreadMN.org.