Holiday Helpers Program

•       Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
•       Employment & Human Services – Children & Family Services
•       Bay Point Community All-N-One
•       Love a Child Mission
•       Monument Crisis Center
•       West County Youth Services Bureau
•       Christmas for Everyone
•       Richmond Police and Fire Holiday Program
•       VESTIA Angel Tree Program

Your support ensures that the Holiday Helpers program remains a beacon of hope and assistance, embodying the true spirit of community during this festive time. Together let’s make a lasting impact and spread joy to those who need it.

2022 Program News

Our Holiday Helpers program has changed to increase our impact in the community. Despite the pandemic shutdown for 3 years, the VESTIA board of Directors and Volunteer & Emergency Services staff have continued to provide support for the most vulnerable residents of Contra Costa County through community grants.  In lieu of gifts, please donate to our Holiday Helpers program to help us support vulnerable children and families in our partnership with other nonprofits in the community.  To date, our Holiday Helpers program has provided support to the following organizations:

• Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
• Employment & Human Services – Children & Family Services Bureau
• Bay Point Community All-N-One
• Love a Child Mission
• Monument Crisis Center
• West County Youth Services Bureau

2021 Program News

This year our Holiday Helpers program will look a little different than it has in the past. The VESTIA board has decided to donate $30,000.00 to non-profits in West, East and Central Contra Costa County. Through organizations that can meet the COVID protocol, the board feels this is a more efficient way of reaching more families needing our help.

We will need your help again this year. It is through donations like yours that we can offer support when needed. Together, we can strengthen our communities and help our neighbors who have fallen on hard times. Many of these families we serve are the “working poor” those who are barely able to make ends meet. We admire their persistence and are here to offer a hand when help is needed.

When your mailboxes are filling up with requests for help, please remember that your donations through VESTIA support needy children and families in our community. Your tax-deductible donation, no matter how big or small, will go a long way. Remember, VESTIA supports people in need locally and, because we are affiliated with Contra Costa County, we have virtually no administrative costs.

2019 Program News

The holidays are celebrated in a multitude of ways, but some families in our Contra Costa communities are not able to enjoy the time as they struggle to provide “the basics” to survive. Contra Costa County has, for the last 30 years, helped thousands of families not only survive the holidays but feel some of that warmth and compassion we all hope for. The Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) sponsors the Holiday Helpers Warehouse which connects donors in the community with people in need. Donors include service groups, corporations, churches, schools, and individuals from all over the county.

This program is organized by the Volunteer & Emergency Services unit and families are referred to this program by their social workers within EHSD earlier in the season. A new holiday season is around the corner. In the spirit of the season, perhaps instead of thinking of what I want for Christmas, we should think of what people in need want for Christmas. For sure, things like warm clothes, toys, books, and a plate of good food are going to be on their minds. But we cannot leave them to celebrate just with imaginary things. Now is our time to donate gifts and goodies to make their dreams real. The best way to know what to donate is very simple: Ask your kids what they want for Christmas. Volunteer & Emergency Services has been working with more than 200 volunteers for over 30 years providing gifts, food, and warm clothes to thousands of people in need. You can help us to continue our happy task of providing joy to families, especially children, at the holidays.

How can you help?

Our donation program runs within the first two weeks of each year. You can donate new and warm clothes for children aged infant to 18, toys or gifts, and food certificates. To help you with your holiday shopping, here is the list of our most needed items for HHW.

It takes a concentrated effort to aid so many struggling families. Thanks to you and your thoughtfulness, Holiday Helpers works!