Charity Drives

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Charity Drives2025-09-30T15:40:27-04:00

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April-May

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June-August

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September-November 11, 2025

One of the most embarrassing experiences for high school and middle school students is to be pulled aside by a teacher or school social worker to hear that their hygiene is not up to par. Frequently, the problem in under-resourced communities is that students don’t have regular access to deodorant, body wash, shampoo, or even toothpaste at home. You can have an impact on our community by participating in our Personal Care Kit Drive and donating needed items to WJCS.

Visit our Amazon Wishlist to purchase supplies and have them delivered to WJCS (845 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603) in time for the packing event on November 11, 2025. Alternatively, you can purchase items and bring them to WJCS for the drive.

On Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, we are hosting a Family Volunteer Event from 10am-12pm at WJCS Headquarters to help pack personal care kits for students at our 11 school-based satellite clinics (SCOPES) in Westchester. These clinics provide mental health services, support, and risk prevention. Families with children of all ages and individuals are invited to join in the packing event. If you would like to attend, please click here to learn more and register.

You do not need to attend the Family Volunteer Event to participate in the drive.

Personal Care Kit items can be donated at any time of the year, not just for this drive. Please consider running your own drive for WJCS clients!

October-December

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November-December 16, 2025

WJCS Early Childhood programs support 50-70 under-resourced families in Westchester each year through several programs. Our Parent-Child Drop In Center (PCC+) in New Rochelle, the Infant Toddler Learning Center in Yonkers, Summer Fun in Hartley Park in Mount Vernon, and our Parent-Child Home Visiting program all focus on empowering parents and caregivers and giving them to the tools to support their child’s development and enhance early literacy skills and Kindergarten readiness. We believe that the parent is a child’s first and most important teacher.

WJCS is running a Pajama & Children’s Book Drive to support our early childhood families. Studies have shown that literacy rates increase for children whose families own books. Pajamas are frequently requested by our families and are especially needed in the colder winter months. You can make a significant impact in lives of children and families in Westchester by donating new books (bilingual preferred) for children ages 0-5 and new pajamas size 6-months to 5T. Visit our Amazon Wishlist (coming soon) to see what is needed most.

On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, we are hosting a Family Volunteer Event in honor of the “Fifth Night of Hanukkah” movement to give back and support charity (even though December 16 is not actually the fifth night). Children and adults can help sort and pack PJs and children’s books for the participants in our Early Childhood Programs and attach a note of holiday cheer. Registration link coming soon.

CONTACT

Michelle Siegel

Volunteer and Event Associate

[email protected]

914.761.0600 x2209

Run your own drive for WJCS clients

You can have a big impact on families and individuals in need in Westchester by organizing a drive among your friends, community, or coworkers to collect essential items and donate them to WJCS. Below are lists of items most needed and kits you can put together to help people in our community.

These kits help parents and caregivers in our Early Childhood Programs engage with their young children (0-5) through art, which enhances self-esteem, encourages creativity, and builds fine motor skills.  

  • Jumbo crayons 
  • Drawing pads 
  • Colored construction paper 
  • Tissue squares 
  • Safety scissors 
  • Glue stick 
  • Play-doh 
  • Dot markers 
  • Tote bag 
  • Amazon Wishlist for 24 kits 

 This kit helps parents and caregivers in our Early Childhood Programs engage with their young children (0-5) through music.  

  • Colorful scarves
  • Castanets 
  • Egg shakers 
  • Tote bag 
  • Amazon Wishlist for 24 kits 

  • Disinfectant wipes/sprays
  • All-purpose cleaners
  • Toilet bowl cleaners
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Hand soap
  • Dish soap
  • Paper towels
  • Sponges/scrubbers
  • Gloves
  • Trash bags 

  • Art supplies
  • Crafts
  • Legos
  • Snacks
  • Water bottles

WJCS operates a food pantry in our MJB Center in Yonkers on the second Tuesday of every month. Approximately 130 families or 500 people receive fresh produce that is donated by Sharing Excess each month. However, we are in need of the following nonperishable items. 

Please make sure that all items are unopened and not expired: 

  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Beans, dry or canned
  • Nuts
  • Peanut butter
  • Apple sauce
  • Crackers
  • Cereals
  • Oatmeal
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Oil
  • Granola bars, meal replacement bars
  • Canned goods
  • Canned tuna or chicken
  • Instant potatoes
  • Powdered or shelf-stable milk 

  • Detergent
  • Dryer sheets
  • Fabric softener
  • Laundry bags
  • Sewing supplies

This drive supports our Early Childhood Programs. Pajamas are an often-requested item, and children’s books in the home help increase literacy rates. Bilingual books are helpful because parents who don’t speak English can then read to their children and encourage the love of books. 

  • New pajamas sizes 6 months to 5T (gender neutral, if possible)
  • New bilingual children’s books for ages 0-5 
  • Amazon Wishlist for 120 children 

Full size items, please.

  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, dental floss
  • Shampoo/conditioner
  • Body wash or bar soap
  • Hair care products: hairbrushes, combs, hair ties, etc.
  • Amazon Wishlist for 24 kits

Many women and girls are unable to afford disposable menstrual supplies. These kits are distributed to teen girls in our 11 school-based satellite clinics (SCOPES) and to women who are struggling financially. 

  • Pack of 24+ pads 
  • Pack of 24+ panty liners 
  • Pack of 24+ assorted size tampons 

Backpacks with the following items are distributed to homeless individuals and those in need.

  • Warm clothing: women and men’s medium and large coats, sweatshirts, gloves, hats scarves, rain ponchos, and socks
  • Personal hygiene kits for men/women (see above)
  • Metro cards

These items are needed for our pregnant teen program, Young People Achieve (YPA), and new parents in our mental health clinics and our early childhood programs.

New items only

  • Diapers
  • Wipes
  • Formula
  • Bottles
  • Infant and toddler clothing
  • Blankets
  • Car seats
  • Strollers
  • Diaper bags
  • Toys
  • Books

These kits are for moms, dads, or grandparents in our Early Childhood Programs trying to juggle multiple demands, financial pressures, and parenting their children or grandchildren with care. They can also be used for caregivers for seniors or disabled adults. 

Suggested ideas for women: 

  • Lotion 
  • Lip balm 
  • Scented candle 
  • Fuzzy socks 
  • Heating pad 
  • Facial masks/home spa treatments 
  • Tea/Coffee and mug 
  • Chocolates or candy 
  • Gift card to Starbucks or Dunkin’ 
  • Inspiring quote book 
  • Journal and pens 
  • Subscription to meditation app 

Suggested ideas for men: 

  • Men’s lotion or scented soap 
  • Beard care items 
  • Cologne 
  • Tea/Coffee and mug 
  • Heating pads 
  • Chocolates or candy 
  • Snacks 
  • Gift card to Starbucks or Dunkin’ 
  • Comic book/Dad jokes 
  • Subscription to meditation app 

These kits helps families in our Early Childhood Programs prepare for being outdoors with their young children during the summer months. Parents and caregivers can engage children in activities and creativity while keeping them off screens. 

  • Sunscreen 
  • Beach towel 
  • Bubbles 
  • Sidewalk chalk 
  • Pail with shovel and sand toys 
  • Tote bag 
  • Amazon Wishlist for 24 kits 

Gift cards are needed in emergency situations for clients facing homelessness.

  • Metro/OMNI cards
  • Food cards: $15-25 gift cards to Dunkin Donuts, Subway, Target, grocery stores, etc.

 

WJCS is not able to accept donated items other than what is listed above. We cannot accept used items or clothing. Except in rare situations, we do not accept furniture, household items, appliances, computers, clothing, and books, except for new children’s books. We are unable to store items and only accept items that can be immediately distributed.

HOW TO PLAN A DRIVE

  1. Reach out to WJCS to let us know that you are planning a drive by contacting
    Michelle Siegel, Volunteer & Event Associate, who can help with ideas and planning.
  2. Choose the items that you would like to collect from the list above.
  3. Share the information with the group that you would like to participate in the drive: your friends, community group, or coworkers.
  4. Plan a date and location where they can drop off the items.
  5. Schedule a drop off of the items with WJCS (Headquarters, 845 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm.)

Please be sure to schedule your drop-offs ahead of time with Michelle Siegel.

Below is a sample of groups and ways that people have organized drives:

Coworkers at your office
Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts
Holiday party
Birthday party
Anniversary gathering
Halloween party
Bar and Bat Mitzvah projects
Synagogue or church group
Book club
School group or PTO

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WJCS Headquarters | 845 North Broadway, White Plains, New York 10603-2427 | 914-761-0600

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