Welcome to the United Way of Central WV Christmas Bureau
United Way of Central West Virginia Bureau was established to serve as the coordinating agency for our community’s holiday giving. The Christmas Bureau serves as a centralized program for agencies, churches, and other
community organizations providing, food, toys, and clothing in their respective service areas.
This program only serves the eligible West Virginia residents of Kanawha, Putnam, and Boone counties.
United Way of Central WV does not determine policy for
agencies participating in the Christmas Bureau
We DO provide an opportunity for participating agencies and providers to come together and share their guidelines, policies, and procedures used in determining eligibility for individuals, and families, applying for Christmas assistance. Through this exchange of information and sharing of ideas, United Way of Central WV hopes that the Christmas giving in our communities will be more equitable by reducing the duplication of services.
For Individuals:
To be considered eligible for the Christmas program, the applications must be complete and correct.
For Participating Agencies:
Procedures are available online to ensure the application process is standardized to everyone's benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Online Application: As of 2023, an online application is available. Please see the link below, if you would like to apply online.
Paper application: Paper applications are automatically sent to the previous year’s applicants. If you haven’t received your application, or your address has changed, please call the Christmas Bureau at 304-340-3500
In person: If you would like to fill out an application in person, please contact the Christmas Bureau to find your nearest location.
Applications
Process & Procedures
Application forms for Christmas assistance are updated each year by the Christmas Bureau staff. The forms are mailed to applicants from the previous year. The completed applications are mailed to the Christmas Bureau where they are reviewed and keyed into a computer MASTER FILE.
Those who do not receive applications through the mail are given the opportunity to apply through Certifying Agents, agencies and church groups that are willing to serve as entry points located throughout the area. Locations are advertised in local newspapers, television, radio, flyers and referrals. They may also call the Christmas Bureau (414-4405) for referral to the appropriate location.
Certifying Agents route the eligible applications to the Christmas Bureau where the information is transferred to the MASTER FILE and is checked to identify duplications and/or fraudulent applications. The Christmas Bureau may deny applications taken by non-providers if the client does not meet eligibility guidelines.
The Christmas Bureau forwards applicant information to the providers (there may be one provider for food and another for toys). The Christmas Bureau retains a record of applications at United Way
The Christmas Bureau forwards applicant information to the providers (there may be one provider for food and another for toys). The Christmas Bureau retains a record of applications at United Way Information and Referral for a period of three years.
The Information and Referral Director has overall responsibility for the coordination of the Christmas Bureau and will work closely with the participating providers and certifiers.
Training is offered each year for any new workers of the Certifying Agents who will be taking and/or processing applications.
All personnel and volunteers at United Way Information and Referral will be knowledgeable of procedures in order to field inquiries and questions directed to the Christmas Bureau staff.
- Provides coordination of the Christmas Bureau operation.
- Manages a system of control on applications, duplication, fraud, etc.
- Routes applications to providers in a smooth and efficient manner.
- Assists new providers’ entry into the system.
- Compiles statistics as needed and at the end of the program year.