Provide refugee and asylum-seeking families with a warm welcome this winter. Join the IRC in San Diego's Winter Welcome: Wish List & Gift Card Drive to support a newcomer family in need. 

With the help of our community, we are hoping to provide extra support and a warm welcome for at least ten of our most vulnerable families (most recent refugee arrivals, those facing job losses due to COVID, etc.) this winter through virtual wish lists, and a gift card drive to support those who will arrive in the coming months.  As an individual or as part of a group (your family, office, church, volunteer group etc.), there are several options to get involved! 

How to participate 

  1. Sign up for the Winter Welcome Campaign here.  You can sign up individually or team up with friends, family, or colleagues to increase your impact!

  2. After signing up, you will receive an email from our team with information about a family in need and how to help with a wish list or a gift card donation. 

  3. Purchase items from a family's wish list, make a financial contribution or opt to donate a gift card:  If you would like to help through a wish list, we will email you one for a specific family. Individuals can also choose to make a financial contribution that matches that estimated value of the wish list to send all of the funds directly to a family. To donate a gift card, please email [email protected] or send a gift card directly to our office at 5348 University Ave #205C San Diego, CA 92105. Our goal is to collect 25 gift cards to give to families, so they can purchase items that they need most on their own.

  4. Please include an itemized list of donations and copies of receipts with your shipment, or email this information to IRC after you've purchased your items. IRC will then issue you a donation receipt.  

FAQ

Am I able to drop off items in-person?

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions and the current CA lockdown, our office is unable to accept items in person. We have selected to choose Target wish lists for families, so we can ensure items arrived with contactless delivery to keep our clients, staff and supporters safe! 

I want to create a wish list from another store. Can I help the family via Amazon or Walmart? 

Yes! Please email our Development Coordinator, Lida Dianti, at [email protected] to discuss what options are available. 

Do you accepted used items? 

Due to COVID-19, we are not able to accept any used items to ensure the safety of our clients. 

I want the family to purchase items on their own. Can I send a financial contribution for a family participating in the Winter Welcome campaign?

Yes! You can donate online here or send a check with the family's name and 'Winter Welcome' in the memo to our office at 5348 University Ave #205C San Diego, CA 92105. 

Is this a tax-deductible donation? 

Yes. The IRC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and both financial and in-kind donations are tax deductable to the extent allowable by law. Please include an itemized list of the items to IRC after you have purchased them. We will issue you an acknowledgement for tax purposes.

Questions 

To contact the IRC in San Dieo, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 619-641-7510.