Dear Santa, My mom is a single mom who raises us kids on her own….We don’t want anything. We just want her to get a gift something that makes her feel pretty again. She would never spend money on herself. We always come first. This Christmas we want her to come first.
For the first 10 years of our existence, FSV turned its attention to inspiring hope in the same small voices it spent the entire year working to empower through music. FSV’s goal was to inspire through sharing with them some of the magic of the holidays. Thanks to the generosity of supporters and volunteers, FSV managed to collect, personalize and distribute more than 100,000 gifts over the first 9 years. In 2009, in honor of our tenth anniversary, we collected and distributed 10,000 gifts for 10,000 children, including toys, musical instruments, gift certificates for books, warm clothing, bedding, furniture and groceries.
It is a small wonder, therefore, that their eyes became ablaze as they opened their individual packages and beheld the thing that every child of any race, creed or culture hopes of getting at Christmas – the right gift for which they have longed all year. – Principal, NYC Public School
Our Holiday Gift Drive has been recognized by Time Out NY and The Mayor’s Volunteer Publication as a top organization for holiday volunteer opportunities and community outreach.
I was one of those children a few years ago. You are from Small Voices, right? You gave me a coat and boots that I sorely needed. I will never forget that. Now that I am a working capable person, I want you to know that those boots changed a part of me forever. – 21 year old sales assistant at Old Navy 125th Street
How You Can Help
As we have relocated from NYC to Boston, our Holiday Gift Drive has taken shape in a new way. We continue to be grateful to those who offer donations each year so that we can continue to uplift those communities we spent so many years serving through our roots in NYC, and new communities we are connecting with in Boston and in cities all over the United States. Join us and other dedicated volunteers as we brighten each season for those who are not always heard.
Join us by…
…volunteering your time soliciting donations
…donating toys, books, or clothing (new items only, please)
…sending financial contributions that go directly to fulfilling the needs and wishes of the children
E-mail smallvoices@gmail.com to learn about more ways you can help.
Thank you so much, Small Voices, for the doll you gave me for Christmas. I hope you continue to share with the world. I hope you continue to love and adore people the way you did with us. Thanks again for loving us!!! – 11-year-old child from Community Without Boundaries
The children served through FSV’s Holiday Gift Drive represent neighborhoods all over New York City, and now Boston. In order to better reach them we have worked — and continue to work — with the following remarkable organizations:
Community of Unity | East Harlem Asthma Working Group
The East Harlem Neighborhood Based Alliance Corporation | Fraternité de Notré Dame
Grandparent’s Empowerment Movement | Hearts of Gold | The Point | P.S. 57 | P.S. 96 | P.S. 154
St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Family and Children’s Services | Women in Need
And in Boston:
Higher Ground
We are grateful to all our supporters of the Holiday Gift Drive, past and present:
Bindya | Cadaco | Elizabeth Arden | Gilbert Chiropractic | Hawkins PR International
Hyatt International | Michael Miller Fabrics | Micato Safaris
Morgan Manhattan | Linda Kiracibasi and North Shore Country Day School, Winnetka, IL
Richards Kibbe and Orbe LLP