SPUR Holiday Cheer Drive
2024 Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE HOLIDAY CHEER DRIVE?

Through the SPUR Holiday Cheer Drive, we work with school counselors, social workers, food pantry directors, and other social service providers to give winter essentials along with a few meaningful gifts to over 600 children as well as adults experiencing homelessness in Beverly, Lynn, Marblehead, Salem, and Swampscott.

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE:

Sponsor a wish list on our website. Wish lists are searchable by age and gender, or you may filter by a specific toy or interest.

Financially support our drive by making a tax-deductible gift HERE. Your monetary gift will help ensure expenses associated with our Holiday Cheer Drive are covered, such as procuring items for unfulfilled wish lists, and help ensure that we have the continued capacity to run the Holiday Cheer Drive.

WHAT GOES IN THE BUNDLE OF CHEER?

Working with each individual recipient, the caseworkers and counselors submit a wish list that includes items the individual wants, items the individual needs, items to wear, and something to read. This wish list is a guide so sponsors have the opportunity to connect personally and get a sense of the recipient's personality. This insight allows sponsors to shop with ease and be assured that the items selected will be appreciated and will bring the recipient joy.

CAN I JUST FILL MY BUNDLE OF CHEER AS I SEE FIT?

We encourage sponsors to use the provided wish list as a guide to buying gifts for a Bundle of Cheer. Wish lists are created with intention between the children and their counselor to fit the needs and desires of that participant. All items must be new and we suggest the target value of the bundle to be around $100-150.

WHEN ARE BUNDLES DUE?

Bundles are due by Monday, December 2.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I RETURN MY BUNDLE OF CHEER?

You can return completed Bundles of Cheer to the SPUR office at 6 Anderson Street, Marblehead during the following times:

Beginning November 17: Sunday through Friday, 10AM to 2PM

Monday, December 2: 6PM to 8PM

*Please note the office will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday November 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

CAN I WRAP ITEMS IN MY BUNDLE OF CHEER?

We ask that all items are unwrapped. During our Workshops, we wrap several gifts in each Bundle of Cheer. You can find sign ups for upcoming Holiday Cheer shifts HERE.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE WORKSHOPS?

Volunteers carefully open and check Bundles to ensure items inside are new and age-appropriate. A minimum of three items are wrapped in each Bundle of Cheer.

I WOULD LIKE TO HELP BUT CAN’T COMMIT TO SPONSORING AN ENTIRE WISH LIST. CAN I STILL HELP?

Absolutely! If you cannot commit to sponsoring an entire wish list, consider partnering with another family, making a financial CONTRIBUTION toward a wish list, or donating new items we can draw from to fill partial or unsponsored wish lists.

IS MY GIFT TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?

If you have made a monetary donation to SPUR's Holiday Cheer Drive you will receive a donor acknowledgment letter detailing your annual giving through SPUR in January. If you fulfill a Bundle of Cheer we recommend saving receipts for any gifts you purchase towards the Holiday Cheer Drive, as you will need to submit those to your tax professional to claim a donation. SPUR is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

WHO RECEIVES MY BUNDLES OF CHEER?

Wishlists come from Beverly, Lynn, Marblehead, Salem and Swampscott. We partner with the following agencies:

Beverly City Connects

Centerboard

Children's Friend and Family Services

Connery School

Department of Children and Families

Evergreen Community Services

Ford School

Girls Inc.

Haven Project

Horace Mann Laboratory School