IN ITS 80TH anniversary season, a nonprofit organization called the Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort continues its mission of bringing gifts, food and cheer to families during the holidays.
The Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort was created in 1945 and gathers new gifts and food donations throughout the holiday season to give to families in need. The organization is volunteer-led, and the president of the Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort, Sheryl Graves, oversees operations where volunteers collect, wrap, and deliver presents to participating families.
Graves, a Ukiah resident who is experienced in nonprofit work, said she took over as president of the Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort about 11 years ago. At the time, she said, the organization needed leadership, and she stepped up to the challenge.
“The former director had been doing it for a long time,” Graves said in an interview. “The director had passed away, and the organization was floundering a bit. I thought, I can pitch in with this.”
The Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort serves families throughout Ukiah as well as Redwood Valley, Hopland and Potter Valley. In October, the organization sends applications for low-income families to locations such as schools, medical centers and other community sites, where families can apply to be a part of the gift program.
Graves said the organization served 432 families last year. She added that the number of children who benefit from the program totals 1,100 to 1,200. The gifts are for children up to 18 years old, and the organization works hard to provide appropriate presents for each age group.
At the warehouse where the organization works, presents are arranged by age range and type. One corner of the warehouse has huge stacks of books for younger and older kids, categorized into English and Spanish. On the other side of the warehouse, there are art supplies, Legos, and Barbies.
Each child of participating families receives two gifts. Children can also receive school supplies in addition to their gifts if they request that option.
Graves said that the organization is still accepting presents because they can always use them.
“We don’t know how many young girls will ask for a baby doll,” Graves said.
Additionally, the Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort delivers produce to participating families, such as potatoes, carrots, and oranges, so those families have enough food to make holiday dinners.
On Christmas Eve morning, volunteers drop off the gifts and food to families. Graves estimated that each year, hundreds of volunteers help the Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort, but she said they can always use more help.
“We easily have 200 volunteers each year,” she said. “There’s also so much going on behind the scenes, even if someone doesn’t come in to wrap a gift, they can always help with something else.”
When Graves first started volunteering with the organization, she saw firsthand how the gifts help families and their children.
“One year on delivery day, after everything was locked up, a mom knocked on the door and asked if we had anything for her 4-year-old girl,” Graves said. “I looked out there and saw this little girl, and I thought, ‘I’m going to see what I can find.’ I found a little stuffed animal and a toy for her, wrapped them up quickly, and gave them to her mom. When she gave that little doll to the little girl, I could hear her squeal. She was so incredibly happy. That was the very first year, and that’s what hooked me.”
Volunteers can help the Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort at their warehouse at 2005 N. State St. on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Tuesday from 10 a.m. until all gifts are assembled and wrapped.
To contact the Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort, call (707) 272-9627 or visit the organization’s Facebook page.