The Ultimate Guide To Where To Donate, Volunteer, and Give Back in Austin
If you are looking to deepen your holiday experience this year with helping our community, this is the place! We have rounded up all of the best ways to donate, volunteer, and give back in Austin for the holidays.
Salvation Army Angel Tree and Donation Station at Hill Country Galleria
Every child deserves to experience the joy of Christmas morning. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country each year. Once a child or senior adult has been registered and accepted as an Angel their Christmas wish list is shared with donors in your community who purchase gifts of new clothing and toys. The gifts are distributed to the family to place under their family Christmas tree. Visit the Hill Country Galleria Management Office to pick out a gift tag for an Angel and then drop of the presents in our gift box before December 9th.
Dell Children’s Toy Drive
Fairmont Austin is thrilled to be hosting a festive toy drive in support of DELL CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY VILLAGE. Guests are invited to bring new, unwrapped toys that can be dropped off at our donation boxes in the hotel lobby. Examples of suggested donations can be found HERE.
Austin Allies
The Austin Allies Annual Holiday Helpers Party is Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Austin Allies South office (9400 Alice Mae Ln in the AGE building – MAP), 2nd Floor. This free, come-and-go holiday celebration brings our community together to collect and wrap donated items for our nonprofit partners, take photos with Santa, raise a little money to support our mission, and kick off the holiday season in style!
Cookies For Caring
In 1969 volunteers organized a bake sale to save the hotel from demolition, and because of their efforts, the hotel is still standing today. Cookies for Caring continues the tradition of The Driskill’s beloved baked sales, and raises funds for the Austin American-Statesman’s Season for Caring. Date is TBD
Blue Santa
The mission of the Austin Police Operation Blue Santa is to provide toys and food for families in need during the holiday season. You can help by dropping off toys, donating, adopting a family, volunteering your time, and more.
Brown Santa
Williamson County’s Brown Santa program provides assistance to Williamson County families in need during the Holiday season.
Sponsor a SAFE Holidays Wish List
SAFE serves more than 1,000 youth, adults, and families during the Holiday season. In order to grant thousands of wishes, they need your help!
Generation Serve
One of the few places in town that allows children to volunteer. Families with children as young as 3 years old volunteer together at family service activities. Register on their website and check their calendar for volunteering opportunities.
Coats For Kids
The Junior League of Austin (JLA) will hold the 38th annual Coats for Kids Distribution December 2-10, 2025. The Junior League of Austin aims to provide warm winter coats to Central Texas children in need. Donate gently used coats to any Jack Brown Cleaners, or donate $20 to purchase a new coat. If you’d prefer to volunteer your time, go here.
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