The holiday season is a time for giving, gathering, and making meaningful connections. At Utah Refugee Connection, we are preparing for our annual Gathering of Light celebration, and we need your help to make this season special for refugee families in our community!
Whether you sponsor a family gift, donate books, or collect everyday essentials, there are several ways to make a difference. Here are five ways you can support refugee families in Utah this holiday season. We need all books and Hygiene Kits by Wednesday, December 9th. All other items we will take until December 17 when we close for winter break or you can also bring these items when we reopen on January 4.
1. Sponsor a Refugee Family Gift for $45
One of the easiest ways to give this holiday season is by sponsoring a special gift for a refugee family in Utah.
For just $45, you can sponsor a family gift that includes basic food items, a chess or checkers set, and specially selected books. These gifts provide families with useful essentials and opportunities to spend quality time together.
Every sponsorship helps us share a little extra joy with refugee families during the holidays.
2. Donate Books for Refugee Children
Books are a wonderful way to help children learn, grow, and discover new interests. This holiday season, we are collecting specific books for refugee children who are learning English and developing their reading skills.
We have put together a list of books for different ages and reading levels to help children build confidence and develop a love for reading. A fun activity to consider, take your kids, grandkids or friends to go shop for these specific books.
Wordless Picture Books
These books use illustrations to tell stories, making them especially helpful for children who are learning English.
- Mirror by Jeannie Baker
- The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
- Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
- A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka
- Field Trip to the Ocean Deep by John Hare
- The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
Grades 2 and Up
These books are great for children who are beginning to read independently and develop their reading skills.
- Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
- The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
- Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary
- Hilda and the Midnight Giant by Luke Pearson
Grades 4 and Up
These books help children explore new stories, strengthen their reading abilities, and discover a love for books.
- Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey
- Smile by Raina Telgemeier
- Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
- Bone by Jeff Smith
Grades 6 and Up
For older readers, we are collecting books that offer engaging stories, relatable characters, and opportunities to continue developing reading skills.
- El Deafo by Cece Bell
- New Kid by Jerry Craft
- Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans
- Holes by Louis Sachar
- The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier
- As You Walk On By by Julian Winters
You can purchase these specific books through our Amazon Registry or donate copies from the list above.
All book donations are due Wednesday, December 9.
3. Put Together Mini Hygiene Kits
Everyday essentials can make a meaningful difference for families. We are collecting mini hygiene kits to provide refugee families with personal care items during the holiday season.
Each kit should include:
- One full-size shampoo
- One full-size toothpaste
- One bar of soap
- One toothbrush
- One deodorant
Please place all five items together in a gallon-size Ziploc bag to make distribution easier.
This is a great opportunity for families, neighborhood groups, businesses, or friends to come together and give back.
Hygiene kits are due Wednesday, December 9.
4. Donate Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is an everyday necessity that can be expensive for families to purchase regularly.
We are collecting specific Arm & Hammer laundry detergents to help refugee families with this essential household need.
We are requesting the following varieties:
- Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Odor Blasters, 96.2 fl oz
- Arm & Hammer Free & Clear Sensitive Skin, 105 fl oz
- Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Ultra, 96.2 fl oz
Donating these specific sizes and varieties helps our team organize and distribute supplies more efficiently.
Even a single bottle of laundry detergent can help a family with an important household expense.
You can also donate to our essential fund and we will buy these and other much needed items.
5. Drop Off Donations at Our Sharehouse or Ambassador Locations
Want to donate items in person? We have several convenient drop-off locations throughout Utah!
Utah Refugee Connection Sharehouse
3134 S 300 E
South Salt Lake, UT
Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 AM to 2 PM
We also have Ambassador Drop Spots in communities throughout Utah, including Alpine, American Fork, Lehi, Orem, Draper, Sandy, Riverton, South Jordan, West Jordan, Salt Lake City, Bountiful, Farmington, Heber, and Saratoga Springs.
Many Ambassador locations accept porch drop-offs during daylight hours, making it easy to donate closer to home.
Help Us Make the Holidays Brighter
Our Gathering of Light celebration is about more than gifts. It is an opportunity to bring refugee families together, create meaningful memories, and remind our refugee neighbors that they are valued members of our community.
Whether you give $45 to sponsor a family gift, purchase a book, assemble a hygiene kit, or donate laundry detergent, your generosity helps us support refugee families in Utah.
Together, we can make this holiday season a little brighter for our refugee neighbors.
Thank you for being part of Utah Refugee Connection and helping us make a difference this holiday season!
