For many survivors, the holidays carry heavy memories. House of Ruth’s Gifts for Families holiday initiative offers something different: moments of joy, a sense of normalcy, and the reminder that their community sees them and stands with them.
From November through early December, you filled our mailroom daily with deliveries–each box carrying toys, games, gift cards, and carefully chosen surprises for the women, children, and families in our care.
Boxes lined the walls. Laughter mixed with the sound of tape being pulled and tags being written.
Then, just as quickly as it filled, the mailroom clears out, because everything has been wrapped, organized, and delivered to the women and families we serve across Washington, D.C.
That rhythm tells the story of Gifts for Families: our community showing up, year after year, to make the holidays brighter.
The Care Behind Every Gift
Before any gift reaches a child or adult, it passes through many caring hands. Deliveries are received, logged, unboxed, and sorted. Gifts are matched thoughtfully by age and interest.. Volunteers wrap, tag, and organize over many days–making sure every item is ready for delivery day.
Delivering Joy Across Washington, D.C.
When delivery day arrives, wrapped gifts are carefully packed and transported to House of Ruth program sites throughout Washington, D.C. by our facilities manager–also known as Santa. Your donations reach survivors and families in every House of Ruth housing program and Kidspace Child and Family Development Center.
The Impact YOU Made
This year, our community made the following possible:
🎁 233 children unwrapped gifts filled with joy
🎁 1,000+ gifts donated by this extraordinary community
🤝 20 hours of gift wrapping by volunteers and staff
💳 $22,000 provided gift cards for 280 adults and teens (14+), giving them the power to choose something meaningful and personal
Because of your support—through toys, gift cards, monetary donations, and volunteer time—every woman, child, and family in our care was supported.
Thank you for filling homes with gifts and hearts with the joy of the season!
With Deep Gratitude to Our Community
We are thankful to the individuals, organizations, and groups who helped make this season possible, including:
- Akelius Real Estate Management LLC
- Amazon SDC1
- BareWax
- British Embassy Washington
- Capitol Meridian Partners
- Christian Ladies Motivation Group
- DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Deloitte
- Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany in Washington, D.C.
- Expion Health
- Howard University Future Law Scholars
- Lambda Theta Alpha
- Mu Lambda Alpha Phi Alpha
- Pembroke
- PINKMAS (Dominique Perkins & Friends)
- Property Management at JLL
- Team Hope at St. Augustine Christian Catholic Church
- The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Washington, DC
- St. Augustine Christian Catholic Church
- Washington National Tax on behalf of RSM US LLP
- Women in Healthcare – DC Chapter
