Holiday giving – community members

Thank you for your interest in donating to kids and families this holiday season!

Here’s how it works:

Purchasing and shipping:

1. Gift ideas:
   • Purchase from our Amazon Wish Lists which includes ideas for kids of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, languages and abilities.
   • Donate gifts for a specific age range (e.g., 0-5-year-olds, gift cards for teens), or collaborate on a big-ticket item(s), (e.g., bicycles, electronics). *Contact Lona for areas of need (contact information below).
   • Donate cash and we’ll do the shopping for you in the areas of greatest need!
2. Shipping gifts or giving money:
   • Ship gifts, checks or money orders (payable to “Robyn’s Nest”) directly to:
     Children’s Wisconsin, Community Services; C/O Lona Long Velasco
     620 S. 76th St. Ste 120 Milwaukee, WI 53214
   • Donate online now - To ensure your generous gift supports the work being done at Robyn’s Nest, on the donation form under “Gift Designation”, use the drop down menu to select “other” and then type in Robyn’s Nest. Donate online.

Dropping off in-person:

1. Whenever possible, please coordinate a consolidated gift drop off for your group.
2. To drop off gifts in-person at the Robyn’s Nest, contact Lona Long Velasco (contact information below) to coordinate a specific time when staff are scheduled to accept gift donations.
   • The Robyn’s Nest is located behind the offices at 620 S. 76th St. Milwaukee, WI 53214. Enter the parking lot at 74th and Main Streets and drive straight through to the southeast corner. 

When to give:

1. Our staff typically see children monthly and will be distributing gifts in-person throughout December. Early donations help our staff get gifts to all children in time for the holidays.

Questions about holiday giving or scheduling a drop-off? 

Contact Lona Long Velasco: (414) 231-4820 | LLongvelasco@childrenswi.org

What kinds of gifts are needed?

Support healthy development with games and toys that enrich social and emotional skills, age-appropriate books, other reading material and toys that promote physical activity and mental wellbeing (e.g., fidget toys, sensory and brain development activities).

Promote community experiences for older youth by purchasing gift cards to the movies, sports games, zoo passes, and museums of art, science, history. Teens also appreciate bigger ticket items such as tablets, gaming devices, AirPods, Bluetooth speakers, bicycles, sports apparel, laptops, LED string lights, and gift cards (e.g., Amazon, Walmart, Target).

Hygiene gifts are also welcome (e.g., textured hair products, specialty cosmetics, and other self-care products).

• Consider supporting local businesses.
• Look for gifts that represent and celebrate diversity.
• Only new items can be accepted. 

Should gifts be wrapped?

No. In order for staff to select the perfect gift for each child they need to be able to see the presents. Gifts may be placed in gift bags, as long as they can be removed for viewing. If you would like to donate wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper or bows along with your gifts, we will do the wrapping for you!

We recognize that a lot of work goes into coordinating gift donations on the donor side.

Thank you for your partnership and for making this holiday season special!