The holiday season is a wonderful time to get involved in helping our neighbors and talking about giving. Volunteering as a family is a meaningful way to make a difference together. Every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Volunteer Alexandria hosts Family Volunteer Day, a Global Day of Service that brings families together to volunteer.  VolALX will engage families in creating gift tags and decorations for our upcoming TOYS4alx collection and distribution event, helping make the holidays brighter for local children.

Family volunteering is about more than lending a helping hand. It’s an opportunity to spend time together, model compassion, and show children that their actions can make a difference. These shared experiences help build a lasting sense of community connection and inspire a commitment to giving back. Plus, when one family volunteers and encourages another to join, that small act can create a ripple effect, bringing more people together to strengthen our community.

Make Family Volunteer Day part of your family’s holiday tradition this year. Join us November 21 and bring joy to families across Alexandria. Visit volunteeralexandria.org/family to register.

Is your child already working on their holiday wish list? Is your business working on a holiday party? As your family and/or business plans for seasonal gift-giving, consider including a conversation about giving to others. Choosing and donating a toy can be a meaningful experience for your child and a chance to help make the holidays brighter for local youth. Children understand the joy of receiving a gift, and they’re often the best experts on the latest toy trends! Invite them to help select a toy they think another child would love. Or, as part of your company's holiday party, choose to support TOYS4alx. No matter the age, toy shopping is a fun activity.

Each year, more than 800 Alexandria families need help providing holiday gifts for their children. Since 2014, VolALX has brought our community together through the annual TOYS4alx Toy Drive and Distribution. In partnership with the City of Alexandria’s Fund for Alexandria’s Child Holiday Sharing Program, we invite you to collect new toys and sports items for local children ages 0-12 years old from November 16 through December 14, 2026.