Decorative garland featuring blue, red, green, and yellow ornaments hanging on a string.

HOLIDAY HOPE 2026

Bringing Festive Joy & Community Connection to NC Foster & Kinship Families

Being a foster or kinship family navigating the child welfare system isn’t easy, and during the holidays, that feeling of isolation can multiply. Holiday Hope is about more than putting a gift under a tree - it’s a statewide movement to ensure no family has to navigate this season alone. This year, we are hosting 7 regional celebrations across North Carolina so foster, adoptive, and kinship families can step into a room where they don't have to explain themselves, share a festive meal, and build lasting community. Through regional party hosts, local drop-off partners, and dedicated wish lists, we are ensuring every child and teen in the home - foster, kinship, biological, and adopted - receives a gift chosen just for them. Join us in bringing warmth, belonging, and true holiday hope to families in your community.

A cartoon child elf dressed in green holiday attire, holding a candy cane, wearing a green and white striped hat, with a backpack, standing on a black background.

The Elf Magic Project:

OUR GOAL: Unite across North Carolina to create holiday magic and joyful celebrations for foster and kinship families.

Red vintage truck filled with wrapped presents, a small Christmas tree, gingerbread cookies, candy canes, holly, and festive ribbons and bows.

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We're asking you to partner with us in ensuring 1,000 kids in NC get to experience the magic and the joy of the holiday season despite all they have gone through!

A cartoon girl with red hair, big green eyes, wearing a red-and-white striped Santa hat, green and white striped shirt, blue pants, brown shoes, and a brown vest, holding a wrapped green gift box with a red bow.

DONATE

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A cartoon elf girl with large eyes, wearing a green dress, striped green and white stockings, green shoes, and a green Santa hat with white trim, sitting on a small wooden stool.

PURCHASE

Each gift is chosen to bring joy, warmth, and a sense of belonging to a child in need. By selecting a gift from this list, you’re helping to create a magical holiday season for a child who deserves it. Thank you for making a difference!

Colorful Christmas garland with hanging ornaments and string lights

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COLLECTION

A young animated boy with big green eyes, curly black hair, wearing a green and white striped hoodie, green shorts, red shoes, and a Christmas hat with red and white stripes.

CALLING ALL Offices, Churches, Clubs, Families, and Communities!

Would you be willing to set up a collection box to gather new toys for foster children this holiday season? By coming together, we can make a huge difference and bring joy to these children’s lives.

We’ll be collecting donations during the week of December 1st. If you're interested in participating or would like more details, ideas, or information on how to get started, please reach out to us.

BECOME A REGIONAL HOST

We are seeking local partners to host 1 of our 7 regional holiday parties. FFA-NC provides the registration framework, wish list management, and campaign support - you provide the space, local volunteers, and festive warmth

How Regional Hosting Works

You don't have to provide every piece of the party. As a regional host, you can invite local restaurants for dinner, youth groups for decorating, and businesses for activities. You are the community anchor bringing it all together.

What FFA-NC Provides:

Centralized Family Registration (No recruiting or screening required by host)

Regional Wish Lists & Coordinated Media Support

Planning Guidance, Training & Dedicated Contact

On-Site Support during the event

What Regional Hosts Provide:

Welcoming Event Space

Local Volunteers to decorate, host, and wrap

Food, Drinks & Activities (can collaborate with local vendors)

Secure Gift Storage & Local Leadership

Together, let’s make this season
unforgettable for these deserving kids!