For many people, as they saying goes, the holidays are about more giving than receiving.
If you’re looking to be generous before the end of the year, Johnson County has a range of community organizations and initiatives looking for donations.
From toys and essential home items to monetary gifts, here’s what (and where) you can pitch in with some holiday spirit.
Johnson County charities
Toys for Tots: Johnson Countians can donate toys through this Thursday, Dec. 15, as part of this year’s local Toys for Tots drive in Overland Park.
- To make a donation, bring an unwrapped toy to the security entrance on the east side of the Overland Park Convention Center at 6000 College Blvd., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- The drive also serves children and teenagers up to age 17, so items like sporting equipment, backpacks and board games are also welcomed.
Johnson County Christmas Bureau: This year’s Johnson County Christmas Bureau holiday market for low-income Johnson Countians is well underway, and the nonprofit is still seeking both volunteers and donations.
- Monetary donations can be made here or mailed to PO Box 14786 in Lenexa, KS, 66285.
- The Bureau is also still accepting non-perishable food items that can be found on this list.
- If you’re interested in volunteering with the Bureau’s holiday market, you can sign up here.
Children’s Mercy: Kansas City and Overland Park’s Children’s Mercy is offering a donation gift match this holiday season.
- Any one-time donations will be matched until the hospital reaches its goal of $188,000.
- Click here to make a donation.
Project 1020: Johnson County’s only cold weather shelter for people experiencing homelessness who are single without children, Project 1020 in Lenexa, is accepting donations through the winter.
- You can make donations online or mail a check to the shelter at 15621 West 87th St., Suite #439.
- Donations of up to $500 can be made online here.
Unleashed Pet Rescue: If you want to help out some of Johnson County’s furriest residents, Unleashed Pet Rescue and Adoption in Mission accepts donations in a number of ways.
- You can make monetary donations to the shelter either online or by mailing a check to 5918 Broadmoor St.
- Outside of monetary donations, the shelter also accepts donations of items like paper towels, blankets, collars and leashes.
Johnson County CASA: Johnson and Wyandotte Counties’ Court Appointed Special Advocates organization has opportunities all year for volunteering and donations, but this time of year offers a number of holiday-specific ways to give back to the organization.
- Click here to pick a gift off of the CASA holiday registry for a child in need.
- You can also participate in CASA’s gift card program to allow older children to pick out their own gifts.
Tyler’s House: Tyler’s House in downtown Mission offers Johnson County children a place to go after school.
- The nonprofit organization’s Design & Wine holiday fundraiser offers adults ages 21 and older a chance to design their own centerpiece while enjoying wine or cider.
- The event will take place from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 5903 Johnson Drive, and you can RSVP here.
- If you’d rather make a one-off monetary donation, you can do so online.
