Basic Needs Share the Joy Program!
What is the Basic Needs Share the Joy Program?
The Basic Needs Share the Joy Program matches children, under age 18, in families in need in Cottage Grove, Newport, and St. Paul Park with community sponsors who anonymously provide gifts for the holidays. Community sponsors can be individuals, families, friend groups, businesses, faith groups, or any one wanting to participate.
In 2025, Basic Needs' Community Elves program teamed with Share the Joy 2, which started last year as a community giving program. Together, our goal is to spread holiday joy to children in need in our communities!
SIGN UP DEADLINE: October 15, 2025. More information is below!
Q: Who can participate as a sponsor?
A: Sponsoring a family or individual for the holidays is a great opportunity for individuals, families, faith groups, groups of friends, and businesses.
Q: Who receives the gifts if I am a sponsor?
A: The recipients who benefit from the Share the Joy Program are children (ages 0-18) in Cottage Grove, Newport, and St. Paul Park in families who need help making the holidays joyful for their children. No referral needed.
Q: How do I get involved?
A: Register to sponsor one or more children using the link above. Or, if you prefer to donate you can use the donate button above and note the donation is for Share the Joy. We will then purchase gifts for the family.
Q: When will I know who I’m sponsoring?
A: Sponsors will be matched with children in late October, with the goal to get wish list(s) to sponsors by November 1.
Q: How do I know what to buy and how much to spend?
A: Sponsors receive specific gift ideas, based on a $75-per-child suggested guideline. Sponsors are not expected to purchase all suggestions, but can choose the ones that they prefer within the suggested $75 per child guideline. In the spirit of equity for all children, if you want to spend more than $75 per person, please consider sponsoring more children. We do request that all gifts be new items. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept used gifts. A sponsor may choose to purchase a household gift or gift certificate for the family to a grocery store or local restaurant as well.
Q: Should I include a gift receipt?
A: Sponsors are encouraged to include gift receipts, in case an exchange is necessary.
Q: Do I wrap the presents?
A: Yes, please wrap and label each gift with the recipient’s family number, gender, and age.
Q: Once I’ve wrapped the presents, how do I label them and keep them together?
A: Place wrapped and labeled gifts in a sturdy plastic garbage bag, along with the family number. Clearly label the garbage bag(s) and tape the family number to the outside of the bag. Please do not overfill bags.
Q: What if I have multiple bags?
Many bags will be dropped off in a very short period of time, so each bag must be labeled correctly with the family number of the children you are sponsoring.
Q: When and where do I drop off my gifts?
A: Sponsors deliver bags of gifts in early December. More information will be posted in November.
Q: If my group is sponsoring multiple children from multiple families, can we drop off presents for each family separately?
A: Yes, if you or your group is sponsoring children from more than one family, it is okay to drop them off at different times. Please remember to label each gift and bag clearly with the family number.
Q: How do the gifts get to the families?
A: Once we have received the gifts from you, we contact the families to pick up the gifts.