• Home
• About Us
• Our Programs & Services
• Gillis Stories
• Volunteer
• Ambassadors
• Donate
• Educational Resources
• Special Events
• News
• Contact Us

Gillis Holiday Giving Program

The holidays are a time when themes of caring and sharing are everywhere. It's also the most difficult time for people in need. Gillis needs your support, here's an opportunity to put your compassion into action and make a difference.

Since Gillis began serving families throughout the metropolitan community, we have been committed to helping families during the difficult holiday season. Joyous holiday celebrations bring families together, but can also highlight what many families do not have. Often lacking supportive extended families and with limited resources, these families are provided with the means to celebrate the season of giving through Gillis holiday activities.

You can make a difference! You can provide holiday cheer in a number of ways through the Gillis Holiday Giving Program by donating toys or holiday gifts; organizing a drive through your school, workplace, club, or neighborhood; combine a toy collection or a raffle with your holiday party; adopt a family or child for gift giving; or donate funds for the holiday's to help purchase the gifts and supplies that are not otherwise donated.

There are many ways to participate. You can do a little or you can do a lot because combined we can make miracles happen for children and families who are committed to making a better life for themselves. Together we can inspire children and families to strive for a better mental health and self-sufficiency by helping them establish strong and festive holiday traditions.

Holiday Activities

Adopting a Child is a great way to take care of one of the boys who lives on the Gillis campus and will be with us on the holiday.

Holiday Meals for Families help a family celebrate the holiday in their own home. A donation of $50 provides a family with a gift card to their local grocery store so that their therapist can help them purchase the foods they will need for their celebratory meal.

The Gillis Gift Gallery is a “store” that is stocked by community donations. The families of the children we serve have an opportunity to select and gift wrap special gifts for each their loved ones.

It's easy to participate. Contact George Robbins, Vice President of Development, at 816-508-3548 or george.robbins@gillis.org.

Thank you for your interest in helping Gillis families!

Stories

Derik came to Gillis because he was having difficulty at his home school. He didn’t want to listen to anyone and didn’t want to play with the other kids; sometimes he would hit and kick. He was sent to the Principal’s office several times a week and his mom was called to pick him up from school often. He was diagnosed with a mood disorder. Gillis was recommended as a school which could help Derrick.

Gillis News

As part of their community service hours at Rockhurst High School, two young men volunteered at Gillis, working with the residential students. One day they looked around and realized that the common areas were not what they, as “typical” teenagers, would like to look at every day. So, they undertook a cottage renovation project. READ MORE