Madison House, the student volunteer center at UVA, collects over $50,000 of holiday donations for 130 local families in need

Madison House’s Holiday Sharing program brings the UVA and Charlottesville communities together by collecting food and gifts for families in need referred by the Charlottesville Salvation Army. Coordinated by Madison House, the student volunteer center at the University of Virginia, and in partnership with the Salvation Army of Charlottesville, the Holiday Sharing program believes every person should be able to enjoy the holiday season.

This year, with the support of donors ranging from Charlottesville residents, to UVA alumni nationwide, Madison House volunteers fundraised $17,000 in monetary donations that they will use to purchase holiday gifts on behalf of donors—more than double the monetary donations fundraised last year. The students collected another approximately $34,000 in donations of food and gifts, which will soon be distributed to 130 local families.

Friday, December 1, from 12:00pm – 3:00pm, Holiday Sharing invites local media to Madison House (170 Rugby Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903) to interview, photograph and record the student leaders running this University- and community-wide effort.

“We have seen an incredible amount of generosity from our sponsors and donors,” said Holiday Sharing Head Program Director and UVA fourth-year Lee Williams, who oversees five Program Directors and 60 Madison House volunteers in the program. “It really takes the entire community’s support for this program to succeed, and we can definitely say we had that this year,” Williams said.

“The Salvation Army will never be able to adequately thank Madison House for their help in making a Christmas to remember for so many homes and families,” said Susan Shiels, Salvation Army of Charlottesville Advisory Board Commander. “Every opportunity we get to work side by side with the outstanding leaders of Madison House while serving our community is a win for The Salvation Army staff and volunteers.”

“Madison House’s 3,000 students are always looking for ways to strengthen ties between the University and our surrounding community, and in doing so they gain incredible learning experiences year-round,” said Madison House Executive Director Tim Freilich.

“Madison House’s Holiday Sharing program gives our students a chance to show their appreciation for the community by working to brighten the holidays of local children and families in need,” said Freilich. “In the process of coordinating donations from departments across the University, our Madison House Holiday Sharing leaders gain important skills. They learn firsthand how to budget, manage volunteers, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and track donations,” Freilich said, “all while helping share some love for the holidays!”

Join UVA students at Madison House Friday, December 1 from 12:00pm – 3:00pm as they prepare thousands of donations for low-income families.