The Community Holiday Coalition is gearing up for its 8th annual December Holiday Store to help brighten up the holidays for families in need. The "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" program expects to help more than 1,000 Loudoun County families during the holiday season.
The Community Coalition Holiday Store allows income eligible families to select toys, gifts and other items for their children and families "in a manner that promotes dignity and self respect. Recipients can chose exactly what they need or want from the many donated items."
The wish list includes new clothing; socks and underwear for all ages; toys and gifts for children and teens; warm clothing and gifts for seniors; laundry baskets filled with personal and household needs; food boxes for a holiday feast; and grocery store gift certificates for perishable food items (increments of $5, $10 and $15 are preferred). Cash donations are also welcome and are used to purchase items that are needed in the store. Cash donations can be sent to the County of Loudoun-Holiday Program, 102 Heritage Way N.E., Suite 200, Leesburg, Va. 20176.
The December Holiday Store will be held at the Dulles 28 Centre in Sterling, located on the northwest corner of Route 28 and Waxpool Road (towards Ashburn) and Church Road (towards Sterling). The location is the former Old Best Co. store.
Donations will be accepted as follows: Dec. 7, from noon-6 p.m. and Dec. 8-10, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Distribution will be from Dec. 12-18. During this time, holiday donations will be accepted from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Donations can be dropped off at locations throughout the county including:
All Loudoun County community centers
Adelphia Cable, Nokes Blvd., Sterling
Arcola Fire Station, Arcola
Ashburn Ice House, Ashburn
Edward Jones, South King Street, Leesburg
Glen Apartments, Leesburg
Good Shepherd Thrift Shop, Sterling
Group 3 Automotive, East Main St., Purcellville
Guardian Storage, Ashburn, Chantilly and Leesburg locations
Hunt Country Furniture, downtown Leesburg
Loudoun Convention & Visitors Center, Catoctin Circle, Leesburg
Loudoun Learning, Leesburg
Luck Stone Corporation, Sterling Blvd., Sterling
Merle Norman, Battlefield Shopping Center, Leesburg
Middleburg Bank, All Loudoun County locations
Potomac Valley Bank, Leisure World
Rivercreek Club and Community Center, Olympic Blvd., Leesburg
Sawdust Specialties & More, Fort Evans Road, Leesburg
South Riding Town Hall, South Riding
Store-to-Door, Filigree Court, Ashburn
United Bank, Leesburg and Sterling locations
University Heights Apartments, Ashburn
Virginia Village, Leesburg Pharmacy, Leesburg
World Gym, Leesburg and Sterling locations
Visit the "Project Holiday Star" tree at the Leesburg Kohls Department Store, the Sterling Park Library and the Ashburn Ice House or pick up a tag at Nordstrom's at Dulles Town Center or Stein Mart at the Battlefield Shopping Center. Select a star or tag from the tree and help fill the Holiday Store.
For more information, call the Holiday Hotline at 703-771-5718 or visit www.loudoun.gov/dss/holiday.