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Programs & Services

Project Share

Project Share is a December holiday assistance program that provides gifts for children and food to local families experiencing an emergency or hardship, so that all can experience the JOY of the season. Registered families meet privately with trained and caring HFS volunteers to develop their "Wish Lists" and are anonymously adopted by community members.

Who Can Receive Help?

  • You must live in the boundaries of ISD 200*.
  • You must be the parent/legal guardian for the children your are registering. 
  • Children receiving gifts must be high-school age or younger; age 18 qualifies if enrolled in high school.
  • Project Share is for families who are experiencing an emergency, crisis, or hardship who would benefit from gift assistance for their children. 
  • Uncertain if that's you? Please reach out and call! We're here to help!

*Independent School District #200 serves the cities of Hampton, Hastings, Miesville, New Trier, and Vermillion and portions of Denmark, Douglas, Hampton, Marshan, Nininger, Ravenna, and Vermillion townships.

Important Dates

  • Oct. 5 | Registration for intake appointments opens at 9AM
  • Oct. 21 | Intake appointments begin
  • Nov. 25 | Registration for intake appointments closes at 4PM
  • Dec. 1-17 | Pickup appointments for families who register for gifts only; dates vary by when adopters deliver gifts to HFS. 
  • Dec. 14-17 | Pickup appointments for families who registered for gifts AND a holiday meal

How Do I Register?

  • Starting Monday, Oct. 5, through Wednesday, Nov. 25, call HFS at 651-437-7134 to schedule an intake appointment. HFS phone lines are answered Monday through Friday, from 9AM to 4PM. When scheduling your intake appointment you may choose to meet in-person or over the phone.
  • Appointments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. You are encouraged to make an appointment as early as possible - the earlier, the better!

What is Required for the Intake Appointment?

  • Photo identification of the parent/legal guardian
  • Piece of mail showing your address is in the boundaries of ISD 200, that is also dated within the past two weeks such as a utility bill, phone bill, etc. If you recently moved and do not have this, HFS can send you mail in advance.
  • Proof of identification for each child such as a birth certificate, login of Infinite Campus or other school account
  • Proof of high school enrollment for 18-year-old youth

What is the Intake Appointment Like?

In-person appointments:

You'll check in at the HFS Welcome Center and will meet in a cozy, private room with an HFS volunteer to get a few ideas of what each child you are registering may like to receive. Please arrive a few minutes early and bring your required documents to this appointment. Your children are welcome to come with you; please note that you will be in the same room as your children throughout the appointment. Appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes.

Telephone appointments:

You must bring your required documents to the HFS Welcome Center to check off before your telephone intake appointment takes place. This can be done any time after registering and prior to your telephone intake appointment during HFS service hours. At your telephone intake appointment time, an HFS volunteer will contact you at the phone number provided to get a few ideas of what each child you are registering may like to receive.

What Type of Gifts are Given?

  • Adopters are encouraged to purchase from one to three gifts per child in your family, at a value up to $90.
  • Adopters will receive your Wish List by your assigned family number, with no personal identifiers, that includes each child's age/sizes/preferences for gifting ideas.
  • The type of gifts, number of gifts, and amount spent per child may vary.

How do I Receive a Holiday Meal for my Family?

When and How do I Pick Up Gifts?

  • If you've registered for gifts only: HFS will call you when your family's gifts arrive to schedule a pickup appointment. This could range from Dec. 1 through Dec. 17 depending on when your adopters drop off to HFS.
  • If you've registered for a holiday meal and gifts: HFS will call you to schedule a pickup appointment Dec. 14 through Dec. 17.
  • At your pickup appointment you must have a photo ID and your assigned family number. Pull into the drive-thru lane off of Ramsey Street facing the riverfront. A friendly volunteer will meet you at the dock door and load the gifts into your vehicle.
  • If you are unable to pick up your gifts you may have a friend/relative do so with a signed Release of Information and Proxy Pick Up form in advance. Please make sure your designated proxy has their photo ID and your assigned family number when picking up.