11/05/2025
Our Sponsor a Child in Crisis Program is set to launch this Friday! At that time, we will announce our Wish Tag Host Sites. This is your opportunity to make a positive, life-altering impact on the life of a child in our community. To prepare you in advance, here are our Sponsor a Child in Crisis FAQ's
What is the Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis Program?
🎁 The Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis Program (AKA The Wish Tag Program) helps children who have endured recent traumatic events receive toys and other items needed for their transition to safety. It also helps children in crisis receive the items they need to survive (e.g., clothing, food, blankets).
Where can I pick up a Wish Tag?
🎁 Wish Tag locations are listed on our page this Friday, November 7th. If a business runs out of Wish Tags, we will update our most recent post to reflect that. When the business is replenished, we will update the post accordingly.
Where do I bring the items for the child I am sponsoring?
🎁 Items must be brought back to the Things of My Very Own Crisis Intervention Center located at 249 Green Street in Schenectady. Drop-off hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
When are the items due back?
🎁 Each Wish Tag has a due date written on it. We MUST receive the items on or before this date for the family to receive their gifts.
Do the items I provide have to be new?
🎁 Yes, all items for our Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis Program must be new. Children are intelligent; they know that Santa's elves only make new items.
Do I wrap the items?
🎁 Items must be inspected before distribution; for this reason, we require that the items come back unwrapped. You are welcome to provide wrapping paper or gift bags for the child(ren) you are sponsoring.
What is an Urgent Needs Wish Tag?
🎁 These Wish Tags represent the needs of a child-in-crisis who has been referred to the organization. While every child hopes for toys and gifts during the holiday season, it has been determined that the needs of the child far outweigh the benefits that any toys could bring. By choosing an Urgent Needs Wish Tag, you are giving a child hope of remaining in the care of their non-abusive caregiver and out of the foster care system.
Can I still provide toys to a child listed on an Urgent Needs Wish Tag?
🎁 Absolutely!
What is a Crisis Intervention Services Wish Tag?
🎁 More children are referred to the organization around the holidays than at any other time of year. Most have to leave everything they know and love behind. These Wish Tags represent the needs of a child in crisis who has not yet been referred to the organization. It helps to ensure that those in immediate crisis still receive the help they need. When dropping off gifts for a Crisis Intervention Services Wish Tag, please write "CIS" on the bag, along with the child's age and gender.
Can I provide a monetary donation instead of grabbing a Wish Tag?
🎁 Absolutely. As we have worked for over 16 years to negotiate contracts and pricing with retailers and manufacturers throughout the United States, that allow us to purchase items for a fraction of retail prices. For this reason, monetary donations go much further than purchasing items in stores.
We thank you in advance for your support of children in crisis.
