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The Giving Guide

Share Joy. Spread Hope. Make a Difference.

Join UC Merced in spreading holiday cheer and supporting our local community. Your generosity can make a meaningful difference in the lives of families and youth in need this holiday season.

A Collaboration Between

Intentional Giving

Make a personal impact by engaging directly in the joy of giving. Select a family, purchase meaningful gifts, and wrap them with care. These hands-on contributions create memorable experiences and remind children and families that they are valued and supported.

A Home for the Holidays

Support a family this holiday season!

We invite all members of the campus community to "adopt a family" by selecting an envelope from any of four wreaths on campus. When adopting a family, you commit to purchasing a gift for each child.

How to Participate:

Visit one of the wreaths on campus
Select an envelope with family information
Purchase a gift for each child and wrap the gifts!
Drop off your gifts at: Community Engagement Center (KL 190)
Drop-off Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Deadline: All gifts must be dropped off by Wednesday, December 17th at 4:00 PM at the CEC or DCC
Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the same location

Wreath Locations:

Location 1: The Downtown Campus Center (DCC)
Location 2: Administration Building 3rd Floor
Location 3: The Community Engagement Center (KL 190)
Location 4: Engineering Suite 315

Note: All gifts and toys will be distributed through All Dads Matter & Merced County HSA. If you have questions, please email us at communityservice@ucmerced.edu.

Items for Youth

Support foster youth by donating personal and household essentials!

Help support local foster youth by donating essential items they need. Your contributions of personal care items and household essentials can make a significant impact in the lives of young people in our community.

Drop Off Location: KL 222 (Bright Success Center)

Financial Contributions

Support our community through direct donations. Your gift provides essential resources such as holiday meals, household necessities, and program funding. Monetary contributions ensure that families and youth receive consistent, reliable support during the season of giving.

Meals for Families

Donate a Meal Today!

This holiday season, we're teaming up with All Dads Matter to raise donations for meals to families in need across the Merced community. Your support is more than just a donation; it's a gift of comfort during a time when it's needed most.

Impact of Your Donation:

Each meal provided costs approximately $70
Every contribution, no matter the amount, can make a lasting difference
Whether your gift is large or small, it will directly benefit local families
Brighten the holiday season and help families feel the power of community support

By contributing to the Thanks for Giving initiative, you're playing a vital role in our mission to support families through the holidays and beyond. Join us in creating a ripple of kindness that extends across our community, bringing joy and relief to those who need it most.

When donating: On the donation page, under "My gift is in support of" please designate The Community Engagement Center.

Donate

Gift Card Project

Support local foster youth this holiday season!

The Guardian Scholars Program's annual Gift Box Project is a community engagement and outreach initiative that raises funds, warm clothing items, and personal hygiene items for local foster youth.

About the Project:

Gift cards and gift boxes provided for local foster youth
Serves youth in the Merced and Turlock communities
Partnership with Creative Alternatives program

When donating: On the donation page, under "My gift is in support of" please designate Guardian Scholars Program Support.

Donate

Every Gift Makes a Difference

Whether you adopt a family, donate a meal, or contribute items, your generosity brings hope and joy to those who need it most this holiday season.

In accordance with the policy of the University of California, Merced and the UC Merced Foundation, a modest portion of the gift principal and/or income may be used to partially defray the costs of raising and administering funds.

Community Engagement Center Guardian Scholars Program