Urgent Needs in Christmas / Winter Essentials Program

Your Gift Will End Up in the Hands of a Real Child

When a child opens a gift from Maine Children's Home, it is our hope that the child feels special and thinks: “this gift was meant for only me, and I am the first person to own it.”

We strive to provide high-quality gifts that are tailored to the requests for each individual child — real Maine kids. These real kids are the reason why the program accepts only newly purchased items that are in their original packaging — free of dents, tears, and dirt.

Urgent Needs List (10/30/24)

This year, we are expanding the age range of Christmas / Winter Essentials Program to serve ages 17 and younger. The following list includes basic essentials that will support this broader group of youth.

Gifts and Toys

Family games (ages 5-17)
Coloring books and coloring supplies (ages 5-17)
Legos (ages 7-17)
Popular themed toys/gifts (all ages)
Stocking stuffers (all ages)
Art supplies (ages 10-17)
Books (all ages)
Barbie sets

Hygiene Supplies

Diapers (sizes 5, 6, 7)
Pull-ups (sizes 3T/4T, 4T/5T, 5T/6T)
Goodnites (sizes small & medium)
Shampoo and Conditioner (ages 13-17)
Body Wash (ages 13-17)
Shaving supplies (ages 13-17)
Feminine Hygiene Products
Deodorant (ages 13-17)

Clothing

Men’s Shirts & Pants (sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Men’s Pajamas (sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Men’s Socks
Men’s Underwear (sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Women’s Shirts & Pants (sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Women’s Pajamas (sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Women’s Socks
Women’s Underwear (sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Girls Shirts and Pants (sizes 3T, 4T, 5T, 6, 7/8, 10/12, 14/16, 18/20)
Girls Pajamas (sizes 3T, 4T, 5T, 6, 7/8, 10/12, 14/16, 18/20)
Girls Underwear (sizes 2T/3T, 4T, 6, 7/8, 10/12, 14/16, 18/20)
Girls Socks (sizes infant, toddler, small, medium, large)
Boys Shirts and Pants (sizes 3T, 4T, 5T, 6, 7/8, 10/12, 14/16, 18/20)
Boys Pajamas (sizes 3T, 4T, 5T, 6, 7/8, 10/12, 14/16, 18/20)
Boys Underwear (sizes 2T/3T, 4T, 6, 7/8, 10/12, 14/16, 18/20)
Boys Socks (sizes infant, toddler, small, medium, large)
Thinsulate lined gloves/mittens (ages 5-17, boy & girls)
Winter Hats (ages 5-17, boys & mens)

Here is a downloadable PDF of this Urgent Needs List for easy printing and sharing: Urgent Needs List (10/30/2024)

Gift Drop Off Information

In kind gifts to Christmas / Winter Essentials Program can be dropped off at the "Donation Drop-Off Point", which is the basement door on the right side of the Evergreen Building (the 2nd building on the right after entering the MCH campus at 93 Silver Street in Waterville). Donors can drive around the back side of the Evergreen Building to access the Donation Drop-Off Point. Gifts can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday through Friday. Those who drop off gifts are asked to please fill out a donation slip to leave with their donation bag or box, and to label their gift with “ATTN: Christmas / Winter Essentials Program.”

If mailing in a gift, shipments should be addressed to:

Christmas / Winter Essentials Program at Maine Children’s Home
93 Silver Street
Waterville, ME, 04901

Christmas / Winter Essentials Program Needs You

In kind gifts are greatly needed and deeply appreciated all year long, as volunteers and staff at Christmas / Winter Essentials Program must build inventory throughout the year in order to meet the needs of all of the families who are served by this program.

Gifts received after this winter season will be used to prepare for next winter. There is no such thing as a gift that is “too early” or “too late”.

Below is a current list of the items that help Christmas / Winter Essentials Program prepare for the needs of children and families during the winter months.

Make a Monetary Gift to Christmas / Winter Essentials Program

Monetary gifts to Christmas / Winter Essentials Program help with the costs of running the program, such as purchasing specific items or clothing sizes when there is a shortage.