LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The pandemic is making the holiday season difficult for everyone this year, but for young people experiencing homelessness, their everyday struggles for food, shelter, and safety are magnified.
To give these vulnerable youth some holiday cheer, the nonprofit Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) is conducting its 5th Annual Holiday Giving Campaign.
The nonprofit organization needs the community's help more than ever this year to collect gifts that it will distribute for thousands of area homeless youth.
Instead of its traditional gift-wrapping block party and other in-person activities, NPHY still has several avenues for community involvement that will keep youth, staff, and volunteers safe and healthy, while making the holidays brighter for vulnerable young people.
These include purchasing a gift, hosting a gift drive, or making a donation to ensure youth in need receive a gift this holiday season.
To fulfill a youth’s wish, purchase a gift from the NPHY Holiday Wish List and drop it off at the NPHY Drop-In Center, located at 4981 Shirley St. near UNLV.
In addition, gifts can be purchased through the Amazon Holiday Wish List and will be shipped directly to the Drop-In Center. For those wanting to get their office, school, church or other group involved, hosting a gift drive is a great option. Download the holiday wish list to share with your group and email events@nphy.org to sign up.
Individual and holiday drive donations can be dropped off during the Contactless Donation Drop-Off Event from Dec. 17 through Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Drop-In Center. Drop-off times must be reserved.
Monetary donations are always welcome to help support holiday traditions for youth that are being altered this year to make them COVID-19 safe. This year youth in NPHY’s Independent Living Program will receive Holiday Cheer Boxes along with a catered brunch and donated gifts, in lieu of the nonprofit’s yearly NPHY Christmas Day Brunch and Movie outing.
Additionally, NPHY will deliver to-go holiday dinners instead of hosting its annual holiday dinner with the help of Richard Prisbey and Boy Scout Troop 360.
To donate, click here.
Sponsoring the Holiday Giving Campaign also is a way local businesses or companies can get involved. Opportunities range from $3,000 for event naming rights to $250 for a company logo to be included on the event webpage.
Following the gift drop-off event, NPHY will distribute the items to its current clients and other area homeless youth through its outreach efforts for the December holidays.
For more information about participation and sponsorship and to view the wish list, click here or call 702-383-1332.
