Winter Wishes
Winter Wishes
Winter Wishes has granted hundreds of thousands of gifts to NYC youth over the last 34 years! Each wish is matched with a generous wish granter who purchases and sends gifts directly to a nonprofit or school for distribution. The result? Pure holiday magic!
Thanks to generous volunteers like you, more than 26,000 Winter Wishes letters were claimed! If you're still looking to spread joy this holiday season, consider the gift of warmth. Just $25 keeps 10 New Yorkers warm and provides essential programs that help break the cycle of poverty. Thank you to everyone who is helping brighten the holidays for New Yorkers in need.
📅 Important Dates
October
Volunteers (that's you!) begin registering as Wish Granters, and commit to purchasing and sending gifts (maximum $40 commitment per letter) directly to your assigned agency for distribution.
Early November
Wish Granters are notified that you’ve been matched with individual digital letters (wishes) and can begin sending gifts to your designated partner agency.
December 9, 2024
Deadline for Wish Granters to send gifts to your designated organization.
Late January 2025
New York Cares shares digital thank you notes with Wish Granters.
🎁 Steps to Winter Wishes
Step 1: Children and teens write letters
Our Community Partners (nonprofits and schools in NYC) help their clients write letters requesting holiday gifts.
Step 2: Volunteers review letters
New York Cares volunteers read these digital letter and our staff match requests with Wish Granters.
Step 3: Volunteers register as Wish Granters
Volunteers can register for between 1 and 300 letters (each letter comes with a $40 commitment)
Step 4: Presents arrive
Wish Granters mail holiday gifts directly to our Community Partners. Our Community Partners give the gifts out to their clients, who enjoy a happy holiday knowing that someone cares about them!
Have questions?