York Cares calls on local businesses to help the city shine this Christmas

Employee-volunteering charity York Cares is rallying the city’s business community to support its much-loved Christmas campaigns. It’s looking for volunteers to support its Christmas Gift Collection and also encourage local residents to attend its community Shimmer and Shine Party on 4 December at the De Grey Rooms.

With more than 4,000 essential items needed by 13 local charities, the Christmas Gift Collection campaign brings together donations of toiletries, warm clothing, food, toys and gifts that will go directly to organisations such as Door 84, Kyra, The Island and Refugee Action York. For many of the people these charities support, a small gesture can mean the difference between feeling forgotten and feeling part of a community that cares.

York Cares is already supported by some of the city’s top employers including Aviva, Benenden Healthcare, Hunter Gee Holroyd, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and Nestle.  However, it is appealing to even more businesses to step forward to coordinate collections, encourage staff participation, host donation points or pledge items from the Christmas wish list. Everything collected will be distributed to partner organisations before Christmas, ensuring support reaches those who need it most and reminding the city that kindness is one of its greatest strengths.

Businesses can also help by downloading York Cares posters to display in workplaces, encouraging further staff involvement, or by making a monetary contribution via the Christmas Collections payment link on the York Cares website.

Hannah Corkery, Volunteering Project Officer at York Cares said: “Every donation, financial or physical, will be used to purchase or provide items from the wish list, guaranteeing that support is targeted and effective. “

The York Cares Shimmer and Shine Party is a festive celebration bringing together older and younger neighbours from across the city for activities including a barn dance, crafts, Christmas carols and seasonal treats. Hannah added “Social clubs like this one help combat loneliness at a time of year when many people feel most isolated. It’s a lovely event and we hope as many people as possible will come along on 4th December.”