Welcome to the United Way of Central WV Christmas Bureau
United Way of Central WV Christmas Bureau was established to coordinate the efforts of the community in its holiday giving. The Christmas Bureau provides a clearinghouse for agencies, churches and other organizations providing gifts of food, toys and clothing and facilitates provision of information and training in the use of eligibility applications prepared by Christmas Bureau staff.
United Way of Central WV does not determine policy for the agencies participating in the Christmas Bureau: it provides an opportunity for the various agencies and area groups to come together to discuss the guidelines each uses in determining the eligibility of individuals or families who need help at Christmas. 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.
Through the use of the Christmas Bureau clearinghouse, community giving is channeled to serve more people by minimizing duplication.
For participating agencies, procedures are available to ensure that the application process is standardized to everyone's benefit.
For individuals to be considered eligible to receive Christmas assistance, the applicant information must be complete and correct.
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.
Christmas Bureau – Starts taking applications September 5th. Will also mail applications the following week to previous recipients.
Bags of Blessings – Deadline November 1st. Distribution December 10th (tentatively)
Belle Ministerial Association – Deadline November 27.
Boone County Community Organization – Starts taking applications September 3rd. Deadline is November 1st.
Campbell’s Creek Food Pantry – Starts taking applications October 1st. No deadline.
Catholic Charities – Will take applications November 28 – December 2, for those who missed other Christmas Bureau deadlines. Distribution is December 12, 13, and 14th.
City of Hurricane Christmas Blessings – Tentatively will accept applications from Mid-September through Mid-November. Distribution TBA.
Clendenin Ministerial Association - Christmas Bureau starts taking applications for them September 3rd. Deadline is November 14th for food and December 1st for toys.
Common Grounds - Starts taking applications September 15th. Deadline is November 1st.
Covenant House – Sign up begins for potential participants October 2nd – October 31st. Distribution is December 17 – 19th.
Dunbar Ministerial Association - Christmas Bureau starts taking applications for them September 3rd. Deadline is November 27th.
EnAct – Begins certifying applicants on September 3rd. Deadline is November 1st for most. Will be able to accept some for providers with later deadlines.
Good Shepherd Mission - Starts taking applications September 3rd. Deadline is December 1st. No bike request will be fulfilled.
Heart and Hand (South Charleston) – Begins taking applications September 19tht. Deadline is December 1st. Distribution is December 17th.
Heart and Hand (Putnam County) – Begins taking applications September 19tht. Deadline is December 1st. Distribution is December 17th.
Mountain Mission – Will accept applications from September 15th – December 2nd. Distribution is TBA.
Nitro Ministerial Association - Starts taking applications September 3rd. Deadline is November 27th.
The Salvation Army – Online sign-ups are active the entire month of October. In Person applications will be held as follows: Kanawha 10/3-10/7 & Boone –TBA. Kanawha Distribution is December 21st, Boone is December 16th.
Secret Santa - The last day to take applications is November 1st. Distribution TBA.
St. Albans Ministerial Association – Starts taking applications September 16th. Deadline is November 31st. Distribution is the week of December 17th.
Tyler Mountain/Cross Lanes Community Services – Starts taking applications September 5th. Deadline is December 15th. Distribution is TBA.
Union Mission – Taking applications October 1-31st for their Adopt a Family program. Also will take applications for their Toy shop from mid-November to the end of November for individuals who missed any deadlines in their service area.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Christmas Bureau, with the cooperation of all parties involved, maintain accurate information regarding the location and schedules of the participating agencies.
Forms
All the forms you may need are listed on the right side of this page. Please be sure to read the instructions before completing forms. You should consult the application deadlines in our Procedures.