We know, it’s only July. With the sun blazing and beach plans in full swing, the holidays probably aren’t at the top of your mind. But at Fello, we start early, because hundreds of families raising children with disabilities are already thinking about how they’ll make the holidays work. And you can help make their season a little brighter.
Planning ahead means no child gets left behind.
Why Holiday Giving Matters
At Fello, we believe the holidays should be full of warmth, connections, and celebrations for every family. When you support our Holiday Giving program, you’re not just giving a toy or gift card, you’re:
- Easing a parent’s burden;
- Meeting a child’s unique needs;
- Supporting the entire household;
- And, creating a moment of joy built around what matters most: family.
Fello’s approach is personal. Families share what their child truly needs and loves. You help provide gifts matched to a child’s interests and abilities; that’s what makes your support so powerful. Whether it’s sensory-friendly toys, warm winter clothing, or something that supports a child’s hobbies, each gift is chosen with a specific child in mind.
Every family we support receives:
- A minimum $100 grocery gift card to make a holiday meal possible
- Gift wrapping supplies, so parents can share in the joy of giving
- Support for every child in the household, not just the child with a disability
Here’s what parents told us last year:
“I cannot thank you enough for shopping and gifting items for my kids. My little girl loved her dress-up clothes and loves that she has a bar for them. My middle loves his outdoor toys and can’t wait to be able to use them. My oldest loved his camping stuff and is excited to bring it along on the next trip. You truly made their holidays!”
“Thank you so much for the amazing gifts and support for Luke for Christmas! He loved the toys, especially the Sonic toys and arcade game! The clothes are perfect and the jacket received is so nice 😊 The gift cards were also very generous and helpful with groceries. Thank you again for helping make the holidays special.”
Why are we talking about the holidays now?
Making the holidays joyful for hundreds of children takes time. Last year, 31 donors helped us provide personalized gifts and grocery cards to 300 children across 138 families in Maryland. And we know we can do even more in 2025.
Starting in July gives us time to thoughtfully match families and sponsors, gather wish lists, shop for specific needs, and ensure no child is left behind.
How You Can Help
You can support the program in two ways:
Sponsor a child or family and shop directly from their wish list. Whether you’re participating on your own, with a friend, or organizing a group effort at work, we’ll guide you every step of the way. You shop—we handle the logistics.
New this year: We’re launching an online shopping system that lets you send gifts directly to Fello. Want to shop in person? You can still do that, too.
Short on time? A donation allows us to purchase thoughtful, personalized items and grocery cards for families who need extra support. You give, we take care of the rest.
Ready to Bring Joy to a family?
Planning ahead means we can match every family with a sponsor and create a celebration for many children and families throughout our community.
To sign up or learn more:
- Visit www.fello.org/holidaygiving
- Email give@fello.org with any questions. We’re here to help make your giving experience seamless and meaningful.
The holidays may feel far off, but your impact starts now. Join us in making this year’s giving season unforgettable for families who need it most.