Support Share My Smile & New Visions Homeless Services
This holiday season, two incredible organizations in Council Bluffs are calling on the community to spread cheer and support those in need. Whether you choose to sponsor a child’s Christmas wishlist or volunteer your time, your generosity will help bring joy, warmth, and hope to those in our community.
Sponsor a Foster Child’s Christmas with Share My Smile
Share My Smile, an organization supporting foster and adoptive families, is seeking sponsors to help purchase Christmas gifts for children in their program. You can choose to shop for a child based on their wishlist, or you can make a monetary donation and let Share My Smile shop for you. Wish lists include items priced at $25 or less, and while you’re not required to buy everything on each list, even one gift can make a world of difference.
To donate, simply click here, and your contribution will go directly toward fulfilling the children’s needs. After purchasing your gifts, drop them off at one of the designated locations on December 6th or December 9th. Gift bags and tissue paper are always appreciated to help make each gift extra special, but please keep gifts unwrapped. Your kindness will bring smiles to foster children and help them feel loved this holiday season.
Share My Smile offers many free services to both new and existing foster families. If you or someone you know could benefit from this support, simply register your family here.
Change Lives with New Visions Homeless Services
New Visions Homeless Services is also seeking your support this holiday season. They provide critical services to individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in our community. Volunteers are essential to keeping their meal program running smoothly. Whether you volunteer to serve lunch (Monday-Friday from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM) or dinner (every day from 4:45 PM to 6:15 PM), your time will help feed and support individuals in need. To sign up to serve a meal, click here.
In addition, New Visions hosts its annual Holiday Event and Community Giveaway on Saturday, December 14th, at the Iowa West Sports Plex (3260 Mid America Drive). This event provides food, diapers, and holiday gifts to families in need, with a special focus on children under 18. Volunteers are needed to help ensure the event runs smoothly, and you can also “adopt” a child, family, or veteran to shop for this holiday season.
To sign up to adopt a child, family, or veteran to shop for, click here. Gifts must be delivered to New Visions (1435 N. 15th Street) by December 6th, 2024. Your support will help ease the burden of holiday expenses for local families, allowing them to focus on the essentials like rent and utilities while still celebrating the season. To sign up to volunteer for the event, click here.
Families who need assistance with gifts and holiday essentials can sign up for help by visiting their website. The sign-up process for holiday assistance is open to families residing in Iowa and Omaha Veteran families. To apply for assistance, please click here.
How You Can Help
- Sponsor a Child’s Christmas Wishlist with Share My Smile by purchasing a gift or making a monetary donation.
- Volunteer at New Visions to serve meals or assist with the Holiday Event and Community Giveaway.
- Adopt a Child or Family through New Visions’ Adopt-a-Child program and help ensure they have a joyful holiday season.
- Sign Up for Holiday Assistance if you are in need, and receive help with holiday gifts and basic necessities for your family.
Let’s Make This Holiday Season Bright
Whether you choose to sponsor a child, volunteer your time, donate gifts, or sign up for assistance, your actions will have a profound impact on families and children in need. Together, we can spread holiday cheer and make this season one to remember.
Thank you for giving back and supporting Share My Smile and New Visions Homeless Services. Click the links above to get involved and make a difference today! Your kindness will help create lasting change in the lives of those who need it most.
