Step 1

Flyers and collection of customer information.

Identify the type of Wish Project you are going to complete: Back to School, Christmas, Hannukah, Easter, Summer Fun, and others. The options are unlimited!

Flyers are key to collecting necessary information from your customers. The flyer in this guide can be used as a template for your project. Depending on your location, it may be necessary to create flyers in multiple languages. Contact information is critical to the successful completion of your project. (Sample flyers below)

The distribution of flyers can occur at a food pantry or a community event. When distributing, it is important to ensure that all customers understand the flyer and the required information. It is helpful to have someone at distribution review the flyers as they are handed in. In the event that any information is wrong or incomplete, you can easily fix the problem. Be sure to remind customers of the date of gift pick up.

All forms should be collected prior to beginning the next step. Step one should take approximately 1 week.

Step 2

Informing the community and donor sign up.

Now that all forms have been collected it is time to get organized. Alphabetize forms by last name and import all information into an excel document for easier access. This is a more efficient method of organizing the information. (Sample Excel Sheet below)

Create a free SignUpGenius account to create your donor list. Import all data into a separate slot per child. (Sample SignUpGenuis below)

Time to start spreading the word! Get your whole community involved with your project. Post a link to your SignUpGenius on all social media platforms, and even post flyers around town, and in schools.

Step 3

Collection and distribution of gifts.

Donors should be given specific dates and locations to turn in gifts. Make sure each gift is wrapped and labeled with the child’s first name, first initial of their last name, and age. This will prevent any confusion in the scenario that children have the same first name.

Every gift should be checked against your excel sheet to ensure that all children are accounted for. It is important to have good contact information with donors in case you need to follow up with them about missing gifts or a change of information.

Gifts should now be organized by family, in alphabetical order for easy access at pick up. As families come to pick up, check their names off your excel sheet list. Sometimes families forget to pick up their gifts on the assigned date, so be sure to reach out if any gifts are remaining. I recommend you purchase large black garbage bags to bundle family gifts and keep them a surprise!