Spread holiday cheer at COTS!

Holiday Giving Guidelines

Thank you for making the holidays brighter for children and families experiencing homelessness!

Deadline for toy donations: December 4, 2026

Early donations make a big difference! They give us time to stock and organize our holiday shop before families begin shopping. Because we coordinate and schedule visits for parents, the December 4 deadline gives us only about 2.5 weeks for families to shop. Having gifts available early ensures parents have a full selection to choose from throughout the season.

After December 4, we continue to accept Amazon Holiday Wishlist items for our Family Shelter playroom and gift cards for families who arrive at shelter later in the season.

Your generosity helps ease the stress of the holidays for families without stable housing. Thank you for helping make the season special for those we serve!

How Our Holiday Shop Works

Volunteers transform our conference rooms into a store-like space, organizing donated gifts by age and type. Parents choose gifts for their children and wrap them at our wrapping station, giving them the opportunity to select and prepare something special themselves.

What to Give

Gift cards are preferred!

Gift cards in $25 increments offer families flexibility, choice, and dignity. Prepaid Visa, Mastercard, and other bank gift cards are ideal because they can be used anywhere. They allow parents to be their own superheroes and purchase exactly what their child may want or need. They're especially helpful for families who arrive at shelter later in the season or cannot visit COTS in person.

Toy guidelines:

• New, unused toys only.
• Individual gifts must be under $50 to ensure equity among children.
• We cannot accept used toys, wrapped gifts, toy weapons (including Nerf guns and swords), or general household items not intended as gifts for children or teens.

Each child receives three gifts:

• Something they need
• Something they want
• Something educational

We serve children of all ages, from infants to teenagers. Gifts for older teens are especially appreciated!

How to Donate

Toy donation deadline: December 4, 2026

Shopping online? Explore our Amazon Holiday Wishlist and Homeport Wishlist!

Coordinating a gift drive? Please schedule your drop-off in advance, as many staff members work remotely. We cannot accommodate pickups.

Email romyt@cotsonline.org to schedule your drop-off.

Drop-off location:

COTS
95 North Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401

Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Thank you for helping make the holidays brighter for the families we serve!