Volunteer Give Comfort & Joy

Help Families Celebrate Christmas

 Whether they’ve experienced a medical emergency, a housing crisis, or a lost job during the year, many of our neighbors can’t afford a Christmas celebration for their households this winter.

We’re changing that, one gift at a time.

Hope for San Diego acts as the bridge between you and families most in need this holiday season.

We’ll collect the specific gift items from each family, and send you a list of their top requests so you can shop for the items they truly want.

Last year, hundreds of you shopped for more than 250 families at Christmas — gifting not just clothes, soccer balls, and barbies, but hope as well.

Join us this year as we gift hope to families on the margins!

Partner with us by…

Shopping

Our affiliates compile a specific list of needs from the most vulnerable families in their programs. You’ll receive this wishlist so you’re able to shop more effectively.

This is a great group activity — shop with your kids, partner, or community group! 

Final drop off date will be Sunday, Dec. 14th

Can’t shop this year but still want to help a family in need? No worries! Let us shop for you.

Choose to sponsor the entire Christmas celebration for a family of 2-3 ($300), 4-6 ($600), or 2 families ($1,000)

Family Sponsor
Survivor Sponsor
Neighbor Sponsor
Student Sponsor

Serving

Join our affiliates as they shower families in their programs with holiday meals, gift distribution parties, and even surprise home makeovers! 

Check out all the volunteer opportunities below 

Serve

Serve

Thanksgiving Shower Trailer (San Diego Rescue Mission)

Where: Downtown

When: November 15th from 10am-2pm

San Diego Rescue Mission volunteers will help provide the dignity of a hot shower for the guests attending their Thanksgiving Outreach Meal. Volunteers in this role will assist with setting up the shower trailer, managing timers, cleaning between uses, organizing hygiene kits, and ensuring each guest feels cared for and respected throughout the process.

FULL- Thanksgiving Crafts (San Diego Refugee Tutoring)

Where: Ibarra Elementary School in City Heights

When: November 22nd from 1-3:30pm

Volunteer with San Diego Refugee Tutoring to help bring supplies and facilitate a craft for refugee and immigrant students as a Thanksgiving celebration!

Project Jingle Bells (Solutions for Change)

Where: Vista

When: December 3rd from 9am-12pm

Help surprise a Solutions for Change family by decorating their apartment with Christmas decorations! 

Dinner Party in Escondido (We See You San Diego)

Where: Escondido

When: December 4th from 4:30-6:30pm

Cook a meal, serve food, or hand out clothes at We See You’s weekly dinner for those experiencing homelessness. You & your group can serve once or continue weekly! All ages are welcome.

Handmade Christmas Gifts (Center Church)

Where: Mid City

When: December 6th from 1-5pm

Families will attend Center Church’s Handmade Gift event to make their own gifts to take home for Christmas. Volunteers are needed to help set up, tear down, and monitor gift stations. Volunteers encouraged to dress festive!

Cookies and Books (San Diego Refugee Tutoring)

Where: December 9th from 4pm-7pm

When: Ibarra Elementary School in City Heights

Help San Diego Refugee Tutoring host an event to spread holiday joy. They need volunteers to help set up/tear down decor, provide and decorate cookies, and help students find their favorite book to read! 

Cocoa and Gifts (San Diego Refugee Tutoring)

Where: December 11th from 4pm-7pm

When: Ibarra Elementary School in City Heights

Help San Diego Refugee Tutoring host an event to spread holiday joy. They need volunteers to help set up/tear down decor, provide hot cocoa supplies, and help students find a gift! 

Dinner Party in Old Town (We See You San Diego)

Where: Old Town

When: December 16th from 4:30-7pm

Cook a meal, serve food, or hand out clothes at We See You’s weekly dinner for those experiencing homelessness. You & your group can serve once or continue weekly! All ages are welcome.

Backup Shoppers (Hope for San Diego)

Where: County-wide

When: December 1st

We need volunteers to shop for remaining gift items that have not yet been fulfilled for the families receiving gifts. 

Christmas Meal Decorating (San Diego Rescue Mission)

Where: Downtown

When: December 20th from 9am-11am

San Diego Rescue Mission volunteers will be helping to make their Christmas Outreach Meal special by decorating the space and filling it with Christmas spirit.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

Hope for San Diego newsletter

Keep updated on the needs of our city

Comfort & Joy Serving Opportunities

Comfort and Joy Shop