New York Cares 2010

Holiday Catalog

The winter holiday season is a time when many companies and employees think about giving back. New York Cares is proud to offer a selection of hands-on, meaningful group volunteer opportunities for companies that want to make New York City a warmer place this winter.

We offer many options for corporate holiday volunteering, and we’ve chosen to highlight some of the most popular options in this catalog. Most of these projects are a benefit of being a New York Cares corporate sponsor, but we also offer projects associated with our holiday annual events, Winter Wishes for Kids and Families and the New York Cares Coat Drive, to any organization regardless of sponsorship. We can customize any of the projects you’ll read about in the following pages to give you and your employees the most meaningful experience possible. Contact me at Barbara.Glassman@newyorkcares.org to learn more about these or other corporate volunteering opportunities.

Thank you for your continued partnership with New York Cares. We look forward to making the season brighter with you.

Warm regards,

Barbara A. GlassmanDirector, Corporate Relations

Holiday CatalogNew York Cares 2010

New York Cares works closely with a wide range of public schools, social service agencies, and community organizations, so we can create projects that cater to your company’s priorities. Your employees might like to take low-income children ice skating for the first time, give seniors living in nursing homes a party to remember, or make sure every New Yorker who needs a warm winter coat has one. Here are some examples of volunteer projects we can plan for you this season*:

Fun on IceWollman Skating Rink is one of New York City’s most popular recreation facilities. During the holiday season, tourists flock to skate on the famous ice rink. Enjoy a day skating with low-income children who would otherwise miss this fun winter activity. Fun on Ice is part of our Urban Adventures program, which exposes children to cultural and recreational experiences that they would not otherwise be able to afford. In addition to ice skating, we can plan trips to New York City museums and cultural institutions. Anywhere that you can take your children, you can take ours!

When: November through MarchHow long: Three to four hoursNumber of volunteers: 20-30 Budget: Minimum of $850 for admission and skate rental. Preferred budget of $1,600 (includes lunch and hot chocolate, and allows group to skip the line and use a heated tent).**

The Gift of ReadingInspire a love of literature by reading stories with children at public schools in pairs or small groups. Follow up reading with a holiday-themed arts and crafts activity.

When: November through DecemberHow long: Two to three hours Number of volunteers: 15-25 Budget: $500-$1,000**

Around the City

Sundaes for SeniorsHost a holiday ice cream social for seniors living in a local nursing home. Decorate the space with streamers and festive wall hangings and treat the residents to an afternoon of ice cream, dance, and games.

When: November through DecemberHow long: Two to three hoursNumber of volunteers: 10-20Budget: $200-$300**

Sing-a-long and Socialize with SeniorsHost a holiday party for seniors with a live professional performer! Volunteers will help bring holiday cheer by singing holiday songs and enjoying snacks and refreshments.

When: November through DecemberHow long: Two to three hoursNumber of volunteers: 10-20Budget: $250-$300**

*Please provide six to eight weeks notice for us to plan the best possible project.**These projects are a benefit of sponsorship of New York Cares at the $5,000 level and above. Project supply budgets are in addition to sponsorship.

Around the City

Answer Winter Wishes LettersYou don’t need a sleigh and reindeer to make a child happy—band together in the holiday spirit and purchase gifts that answer the holiday wishes of low-income children and families. Requests of 50 letters or more will require pickup. Most gift requests are typically for items $40 or less before delivery. Your letter will contain important information to include on the front of the package. Visit newyorkcares.org/winterwishes to register as a team or individual and request letters. Registration opens Monday, October 25, 2010. This project does not require New York Cares sponsorship.

When: October through November

Keep New Yorkers Warm with the New York Cares Coat DriveNo one should have to choose between a warm coat and putting food on the table. Warm a fellow New Yorker’s heart—donate a coat, start a collection site, or make a financial donation this winter and help 80,000 needy New Yorkers. You can help by hosting a private collection site at your office. We’ll give you posters to promote your collection. You’ll just have to provide boxes to collect the coats and deliver them to our Manhattan warehouse. This project does not require New York Cares sponsorship.Visit newyorkcares.org/coatdrive to find out more. Registration opens Monday, October 25, 2010.

When: Mid-December through January

Help New York Cares Sort Collected CoatsThe New York Cares Coat Drive collects more than 80,000 gently used, freshly laundered coats each December and distributes them to men, women, and children at New York City homeless shelters, community organizations, churches, and senior centers. We need your help sorting the coats which enables us to give them out as fast as we can. This project does not require New York Cares sponsorship.

When: Mid-December through JanuaryHow long: Two to three hoursNumber of volunteers: 1-25Budget: N/A

Around the City

Send Cheer to SeniorsSeniors living in nursing homes have few visitors and limited social contact. You can brighten their days by creating cards to send good wishes and holiday cheer.

When: November through DecemberHow long: Two to three hoursNumber of volunteers: 15-20Budget: $300 (pays for supplies to decorate cards)**

Make BelieveDecorate capes and masks with “bling” for ill children in hospitals to use in plays and performances.

When: November through DecemberHow long: Two to three hoursNumber of volunteers: 10-30Budget: $300-$600**

A New York Cares HolidayIn lieu of the usual corporate gift, make a donation to New York Cares in your employees’ or your clients’ names. We’ll send an electronic holiday greeting to your staff or clients letting them know that you’ve chosen to invest in the power of volunteering this holiday season.

When: November through JanuaryHow long: N/A Number of volunteers: N/ABudget: However much you’d like to give.

*Please provide six to eight weeks notice for us to plan the best possible project.**These projects are a benefit of sponsorship of New York Cares at the $5,000 level and above. Project supply budgets are in addition to sponsorship.

Around the Office

Holiday Party: Create Your Own CelebrationThe possibilities are endless. Decorate the common spaces and hallways of an organization serving children, then divide into groups to participate in holiday-themed activities. Afterward, volunteers can distribute holiday gifts to the children and enjoy lunch and holiday treats. Here are some ideas for your party:

Holiday Literacy and Crafts: Read a holiday-themed book with a child then work on a related craft activity.

Make Gingerbread Houses: Help children create their very own gingerbread houses.

Holiday Treats: Work with children to decorate pre-made cookies with the design of their choice.

Decorate for the Holidays: Make holiday ornaments with a variety of craft supplies. Spread Some Light: Create holiday candles and candle holders using candle-making kits.

Season’s Greetings: Assist children as they create holiday greeting cards for seniors who live at a nearby nursing home. This project teaches children of the importance of giving, while bringing joy to a senior’s day.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town: Invite Santa Claus to visit and take pictures with children. The children can take the picture home as a memento of their fun day.

When: DecemberHow long: Two to four hoursNumber of Volunteers: 75 MaximumBudget: $1,500-$3,000 (plus food costs at $7-$10 per person)**

*Please provide six to eight weeks notice for us to plan the best possible project.**These projects are a benefit of sponsorship of New York Cares at the $5,000 level and above. Project supply budgets are in addition to sponsorship.

Host a Holiday Party

Holiday Catalog

New York Cares214 West 29th Street, 5th FloorNew York, NY 10001info@newyorkcares.orgnewyorkcares.org

New York Cares 2010