This holiday season, Share My Smile & New Visions Homeless Services are calling on the community to spread cheer and support those in need. Whether you choose to sponsor a child’s Christmas wishlist or volunteer your time, your generosity will help bring joy, warmth, and hope to those in our community.
Sponsor a Foster Child’s Christmas with Share My Smile
Share My Smile, an organization supporting foster and adoptive families, is seeking sponsors to help purchase Christmas gifts for children in their program. You can choose to shop for a child based on their wishlist, or you can make a monetary donation and let Share My Smile shop for you. Wish lists include items priced at $30 or less, and while you’re not required to buy everything on each list, even one gift can make a world of difference.
To donate, simply click here, and your contribution will go directly toward fulfilling the children’s needs. After purchasing your gifts, drop them off at one of the the Charles E. Lakin Campus Salvation Army Chapel on North 16th Street on December 5th or December 8th. Please securely tape to your unwrapped gifts the child/ren's name(s), family number and child number and bring the gift(s) to the drop off! Your kindness will bring smiles to foster children and help them feel loved this holiday season!
Share My Smile offers many free services to both new and existing foster families. If you or someone you know could benefit from this support, simply register your family here.
Change Lives with New Visions Homeless Services
New Visions Homeless Services is also seeking your support this holiday season. They provide critical services to individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in our community. Volunteers are essential to keeping their meal program running smoothly. Whether you volunteer to serve lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 1 PM or dinner every day from 4:45 PM to 6:15 PM, your time will help feed and support individuals in need. To sign up to serve a meal, click here.
In addition, New Visions hosts its annual Holiday Event and Community Giveaway on December 13th, at the Iowa West Sports Plex. This event provides food, diapers, and holiday gifts to families in need, with a special focus on children under 18. Volunteers are needed to help ensure the event runs smoothly, and you can also “adopt” a child, family, or veteran to shop for this holiday season. To sign up to volunteer for the event set up on December 12 or on the day of the actual event on December 13, click here.
You can also sign up to adopt a child, family, or veteran or even donate if you don't have the time to shop! Gifts must be delivered to New Visions by December 6th. Your support will help ease the burden of holiday expenses for local families, allowing them to focus on the essentials like rent and utilities while still celebrating the season.
Families who need assistance with gifts and holiday essentials can sign up for help by visiting their website. The sign-up process for holiday assistance is open to families residing in Iowa and Omaha Veteran families. To apply for assistance, please click here.
Giving Tuesday
The spirit of Giving Tuesday continues to thrive in western Iowa. Last year, The Community Foundation for Western Iowa + SHARE Iowa nonprofits once again raised more than $1.5 million during Giving Tuesday 712, with average donation amounts increasing and more local organizations joining the platform. As Giving Tuesday returns on December 2 this year, community members are encouraged to give back in any way they can and help create lasting impact throughout western Iowa.
More Ways to Make a Difference This Holiday Season
Looking for additional opportunities to spread kindness and support the community? Council Bluffs offers several meaningful ways to give back during the holidays. Whether you prefer donating, volunteering, or supporting local initiatives, these programs help lift spirits and make the season brighter for families in need:
- Turkey Trot: November 27 | 9 AM | Railway Inn & First Ave Trail
Help support local families by bringing a non-perishable food donation to benefit a nearby food bank—drop off your items before the run or walk and make a difference this season! - Holiday Dinner & Food Drive: November 29 | 8 AM | Super Saver
They are joining Catholic Charities and Crescent Food Pantry to help others in need. Join in the fun and buy raffle tickets, bid on silent auction items, and have a chance to win a door prize. - Burris Holiday Home Tour: December 7 | 1 PM | Burris Home & December 14 | 1 PM | Burris Home
Holiday Home Tour benefitting the Midlands Humane Society. Cost is $5 a person or $10 a family and all proceeds going to Midlands Humane Society.
Let’s Make This Holiday Season Bright
Whether you choose to sponsor a child, volunteer your time, donate gifts, or sign up for assistance, your actions will have a profound impact on families and children in need. Together, we can spread holiday cheer and make this season one to remember.
Thank you for giving back and supporting Share My Smile and New Visions Homeless Services. Click the links above to get involved and make a difference today! Your kindness will help create lasting change in the lives of those who need it most.
