Cuyahoga County seeking holiday gifts for kids, seniors

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cuyahoga County's Department of Health and Human Services is calling on residents to help give the gift of holiday cheer by donating to struggling children, parents and seniors.

Their annual Holiday Giving Program seeks presents – or money to buy them – that the county can share with kids who are in foster care or families that are caring for a kid in custody and older adults who may not have families to share the season with, so that they know they're not forgotten during the holidays.

"The holidays are a wonderful time of year, and we're excited to help create memorable moments for our children, families, and older adults," HHS Director David Merriman said in a news release.

There are three ways residents can give:

Hope for the Holidays Hope for the Holidays is for children and teens in foster care.

Residents are asked to purchase a new gift from the county's Amazon or Target wish lists, or drop off a toy, game or book of their choosing. To schedule a gift drop-off, email or call 216-881-4150.

Or residents can write a check payable to DCFS Hope for the Holidays and mail it to Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services' Outreach Department at 3955 Euclid Ave., JEH 350 E., Cleveland, OH 44115.

The deadline to donate is Dec. 6.

Adopt-A-Family Through Adopt-A-Family , residents can "adopt" one of DCFS' kinship families caring for a child in county custody while their parents work toward reunification. The program recommends spending at least $75 per child and $75 on gifts for the whole family to enjoy.

Residents must complete an Adopt-A-Family application to be matched with a family in need. Once matched, participants can purchase, wrap and label their gifts and drop them off to DCFS.

Elves for Elders The Elves for Elders program brings cheer and gifts to older adults in the community.

Residents can email Daphne James at to learn which items they can purchase for seniors in need. Those presents can be placed in gift bags only – no wrapping – and dropped off to the Division of Senior and Adult Services office at 13815 Kinsman Rd.

The deadline to give is December 6.