Christmas Program

Volunteer for the Christmas Program

Help make this year special for a child in need by volunteering for the Christmas Program December 1-22 in Fort Wayne, South Bend, or Auburn. Volunteers will help organize, shop, and lend a hand where needed to ensure every child gets a present.

Learn more

Christmas Beneficiary Applications

For additional support, please call 211 or visit 211’s website.

East Region

Serving Adams, Allen, Huntington, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley Counties.

  • Under 200% of the federal poverty level.

    Children must be residing in the homes at all times and must be living in an East Region county. Children must be under the age of 18.

    Cannot be enrolled in other community Christmas Programs.

  • APPLICATIONS:

    October 27-31

    INTAKE:

    October 27-November 7

    SHOPPING:

    December 15-17

North Region

Serving DeKalb, Noble, LaGrange, and Steuben Counies

  • Under 200% of the federal poverty level.

    Children must be residing in the homes at all times and must be current residents of DeKalb, Noble, LaGrange, or Steuben Counties. Children must be under the age of 18.

    Cannot be enrolled in other community Christmas Programs.

  • OCTOBER 6-31

    Applications available in office

    GIFT PICK UP DATE

    December 17

West Region

Serving Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties.

  • Under 200% of the federal poverty level.

    Children must be residing in the homes at all times and must be living in West Region county. Children must be under the age of 18.

    Cannot be enrolled in other community Christmas Programs.

  • APPLICATION:

    October 27-31

    INTAKE:

    October 27-November 7 (Tuesday’s and Thursday’s only)

    GIFT PICK UP DATE

    December 11-12

Sponsor a Family

Catholic Charities seeks individuals, families, businesses, and organizations with a giving heart to help make Christmas a little brighter for children in need. These are a variety of ways to provide assistance.

  • Following our Christmas Shopping model, Sponsors will help stock our store so parents can shop for their child’s unique wants and needs. Tell us how many children you would like to shop for and we will send you a wish list valued at $75-100 (per child).

    A list of needs will be distributed on November 10.

    Please bring unwrapped gifts to the Catholic Charities Cabrini Center located on 5610 Noll Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46806 between December 8-11 during office hours 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM.

  • Following our Christmas Shopping model, Sponsors will help stock our store so parents can shop for their child’s unique wants and needs. Tell us how many children your tree can sponsor, and we will send you 4 items on the child's wish list valued at $75-100 (per child). This is a great option for churches and corporations to get involved!

    A list of needs will be distributed on November 10.

    Please bring unwrapped gifts to the Catholic Charities Cabrini Center located on 5610 Noll Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46806 between December 8-11 during office hours 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM.

  • Sponsors may make monetary contributions towards the Christmas Program for the staff to shop for the child or family. Designate your donation to "Christmas Program

East Region

Serving Adams, Allen, Huntington, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley Counties.

Become a Christmas Sponsor

Donor Contact:

Nicole Kurut

nkurut@ccfwsb.org | 260.420.5501

North Region

Serving DeKalb County

  • Sponsors will be matched with a family in need. You will choose the number of children you are willing to sponsor and we will provide you the following information about each child: gender, age, requested items, interests and clothing sizes. Each family will be given a code by Catholic Charities. Please make sure this code is on all gifts. If possible, please place all gifts for each child in a separate container/bag. This will help us stay organized during this process. Please make sure all unwrapped gifts are delivered no later than Monday, December 10, 2025 during business hours.

  • Sponsors may opt to host a “Giving Tree”. A giving tree can be done one of two ways.

    Option 1: We provide you with tags. Each tag has one item on it. This will allow you to help several children.

    Option 2: Collect new items such as toys, personal care items and/or gift cards for groceries or gas. Gift cards for teenagers is also a suggestion since most can be difficult to buy for. Monetary donations to assist families in need are also accepted. Please plan on delivering gifts to our office no later than December 10, 2025.

  • Sponsors may make monetary contributions towards the Christmas Program for the staff to shop for the child or family. Designate your donation to "Christmas Program”

Become a Christmas Sponsor

Donor Contact:

Jennifer Alverez

nrvol@ccfwsb.org | 260.925.0917

West Region

Serving Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall, and St. Joseph Counties.

  • Sponsors will be matched with a family in need. You will choose the number of children you are willing to sponsor and we will provide you the following information about each child: gender, age, requested items, interests and clothing sizes, valued at around $150 per child. Each family will be given a code by Catholic Charities. Please make sure this code is on all gifts. If possible, please place all gifts for each child in a separate container/bag. This will help us stay organized during this process. Please make sure all unwrapped gifts are delivered no later than December 8, 2025, during business hours.

  • Sponsors may opt to host a “Giving Tree”. A giving tree can be done one of two ways.

    Option 1: We provide you with tags. Each tag has one item on it. This will allow you to help several children.

    Option 2: Collect new items such as toys, personal care items and/or gift cards for groceries or gas. Gift cards for teenagers is also a suggestion since most can be difficult to buy for. Monetary donations to assist families in need are also accepted. Please plan on delivering gifts to our office no later than December 8, 2025.

  • Sponsors may make monetary contributions towards the Christmas Program for the staff to shop for the child or family. Designate your donation to "Christmas Program”

Become a Christmas Sponsor

Donor Contact:

Kellie Porter

kporter@ccfwsb.org | 574.360.1970