The Shawnee County Christmas Bureau is an annual tradition that allows everyone in our community to make the holiday season brighter for our Shawnee County neighbors in need. United Way of Kaw Valley and other community partners connect thousands of individuals and families to a holiday meal and gifts by matching them with agencies or community “adopters.”
Adoptions are now closed, please click here to go to our adopter page if you need to retrieve your adoptee information.
Scroll to the bottom to see holiday help programs in other counties.
2024 Christmas Bureau applications for help (Shawnee County) are now closed.
Thank you for your interest in applying for help through the Christmas Bureau program. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications past the final intake date (November 9, 2024). At this time we are not aware of other holiday adoption programs in Shawnee County. Christmas Bureau application information and dates are posted on this page each year in early October.
Click here to download/print the 2024 information document (English/español).
These Douglas County opportunities are not operated by United Way of Kaw Valley. Please visit the links for complete information.
Ballard Center Holiday Bureau
Applications closed November 8th, 2024.
https://www.ballardcenter.org/holiday-bureau-adopt-a-family/
Douglas County Salvation Army
Douglas County Angel Tree
Providing gifts for children 17 and under. Applications closed November 15, 2024.
1202 E 23rd St., Lawrence, KS
https://www.facebook.com/SalArmyLawrence
Eudora Lions Club Angel Tree
30-50 Eudora families, gifts for kids 18 and under and holiday meal items.
2024 application closed November 15.
More information on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EudoraLionsClub/posts/pfbid0D3QXaKD9B2epnsg1YUiSCDR7te2fHHALUFJMkrEb44F3H8szGTmn8GrtXcmYmnuHl
Jackson County runs a separate Christmas Bureau program with a different application and process.
Jackson County applications closed November 15, 2024.
Please visit https://www.fbcholton.com/jcmachristmas/ for complete information.
The Christmas Bureau will be held Friday, December 13 and donations are greatly appreciated.
- Gifts for ages birth through high school senior
- Items for the essential bags (see below for details)
- Non-perishable food items
- Monetary Donation
Gifts may be taken to the Holton Post Office. The essential bag items and food may be delivered to First Baptist Church (404 Juniper Drive).
If you have any questions, please call Jennifer Ingels at 785-851-1011 or Gayle Moulden at First Baptist Church at 785-364-3423.