The House of Mercy needs your help this holiday season.
The organization is running their “Christmas with Mercy” program again, for its fifth year, to provide 325 Prince William children in low-income household with gifts this Christmas.
According to a release, the House of Mercy is anticipating that they won’t have enough gifts for eligible children this year, and they’re asking the community for help.
“We are really relying on individuals and civic groups to help us provide gifts for over 300 client children this year,” stated Executive Director of HOM Ann Cimini, in a release.
More on the program, from a release:
Children qualify for gifts based on their parent’s participation in the numerous free classes available at HOM. The classes include Personal Money Management, ESL, Parenting, and faith formation.
“The economy has had a tremendous negative impact on non-profits. Those of us who provide food, clothing and limited financial assistance for families in need have seen a decrease in real and financial donations and an increase in the number of people we serve. According to Feeding America, forty-nine percent of the food insecure living in Prince William County earns too much money at low-paying jobs to be eligible for government assistance. They turn to faith based agencies like House of Mercy for supplemental food and assistance,” said Cimini.
“We love to welcome groups and individuals to help with the annual event. People may visit our website then follow the link to our SignUpGenius page, to sign up online for their volunteer assignment and time. Volunteer slots start on Tuesday December 8 and end with the event on Saturday December 12 when our client parents come to the gift distribution,” continued Cimini.
Gifts will be accepted at the HOM Donation Center. The Donation Center is located at 8162 Flannery Court, Manassas. Gifts must be received in the community by Friday December 4, and at HOM by Tuesday December 8. Because client children might be receiving only one gift, HOM requests the gifts to be valued at about $20-$25 range.
For more information about the House of Mercy’s “Christmas with Mercy” program or how to register as a client or to donate financially, email help@houseofmercyva.org or call 703-659-1636.
Boxes for gifts have been placed throughout the area, including these businesses:
Edward Jones- 147 Alexandria Pike- Suite 100- Warrenton, VA 20186
Signarama- 7965 Heritage Village Plaza- Gainesville, VA 20155
Freeman & Sherburne Insurance- 7440 Heritage Village Plaza- Suite 101- Gainesville, VA 20155
Accelerated Printing- 106¬K Oak Grove Road- Sterling, Virginia 20166
Fairway Mortgage Corporation- 7001 Heritage Village Plaza- Suite 250- Gainesville VA 20155
Weems-Botts Museum – 3944 Cameron St- Dumfries, VA 22026
Benedictine Monastery Chapel – 9535 Linton Hall Rd- Bristow, VA 20136