Tired of racking your brain each year trying to pick out gifts for your adult family members? Try some of these gifts that give back to UMD. Gift collection rather than gift exchange Instead of exchanging gifts with friends and family this year, collect items that will benefit folks experiencing homelessness. You can collect some of the “presents” we’re gifting to adults this year or help fill up the toy shop for UMD parents to “shop” for their children. While there is a deadline for the gifts, it’s always great for groups to collect homewares for move-outs kits, providing newly housed clients with items to pick out to supply their new home with basic necessities. Donate Together Pool your money and make a gift to UMD. Are you or one of your family members more interested in a gift that is more specific? Make your gift through our GoFundMe campaign to raise private Rapid Rehousing funds so that UMD staff can slash barriers for a person trying to get into housing. Make a Memorial gift The holidays are a sentimental time. Memorial gifts are a great way to still include a loved one who was once a part of your holiday celebrations. Make a gift here. Patronize UMD supporters on Small Business Saturday At UMD, we have an amazing community of supporters. On Small Business Saturday, take your business to a place that gives back to the local community. Check out the following: Vaguely Reminiscent (Dec. 2-13, 25% of clothing and shoe sales go to the non-profit of your choice) Visit a Holiday Fair UMD will be represented at a number of local holiday fairs. Dec 1st: Bright Spirits holiday market at Motorco, 12-6pm. A suggested donation of at least $5 gets you in the door. Entry donations directly support UMD. You can also check out Advent Fairs at Immaculate Conception (before and after mass on December 7th and 8th) and First Presbyterian Church (after the 11am Sunday service on Dec. 8th), where you can purchase holiday cards supporting UMD. Buy pottery or wooden crafts or take a class from the bowlmakers for our annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser Chapel Hill Community Center Studio Chapel Hill Woodturners (https://sites.google.com/site/chapelhillwoodturners/) Claymakers – close to MotorCo in Durham (https://www.claymakers.org/) Durham Arts Council – located at Northgate Mall (http://www.durhamarts.org/classes_claystudio.html) Sertoma Studio Potters (https://raleighnc.gov/places/sertoma-arts-center) Woodturners Guild of NC There are so many ways to give this season. Thank you for thinking outside the traditional holiday box to make a difference above and beyond annual giving.
