Holiday "Staff Helping Hands" Program

Overview
The "Staff Helping Hands" Program provides an opportunity for members of the UCI community to lend a confidential helping hand during the holidays to staff members who are experiencing difficulties providing a holiday experience for their families. Those who need a helping hand are paired anonymously with those individuals or groups who are interested in sponsoring a family.

How the program works
A family communicates their specific needs by an email or paper application to the Staff Helping Hands Coordinator. Each application is coded with a “Family Code” (A, B, etc.) and a “Member Code” (A1, A2, etc.) to maintian anonymity. The applicants are then matched with volunteer sponsors (individuals, groups or departments).

Most sponsors will shop and wrap; others will purchase gift cards at grocery, department and discount stores. When the shopping is completed, and items are marked with the Family & Member codes, food and gifts are delivered to the Ombudsman Office so that anonymity is maintained during delivery.

It is important to note that participation is confidential, as it is equally important that children, especially younger ones, receiving assistance be able to think their gifts are from Santa or from their parents.

Schedule for 2009 -

• November 16: Deadline for applications
• November 25: Notification sent to participants
• December 14-15: Drop off by appointment
• December 17-18: Pick-up by appointment
  

Participation
Need a helping hand for the holidays? Or are you fortunate to have enough to share? Click on the approrpiate link below to participate:

I could use a hand during this holiday season - english
Puedo beneficiar de ayuda - en español

I/my department can lend a hand - sponsor form

Thank you for your participation. Together, we can make the season warm and bright!

QUESTIONS? Please call:
Jeri Frederick, Co-Chair of Special Projects, (949) 824-7769, or Stephanie-Jean Hinojosa, Vice Chair, Staff Assembly, (949) 824-4586.

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© 2006 The Staff Assembly of the University of California.
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Last Updated: October 23, 2009