Give Hope for the Holidays
Find out how you can help families in need this holiday season.
Making a Difference in Peoples Lives Every Christmas
There are two powerful ways to bring joy to a family in need this holiday season. Choose the one that fits you best.
Adopt a Family
When you adopt a family, you are matched with a real family’s personalized wish list and do the shopping yourself. You see exactly what your generosity provides — and the family knows someone cared enough to choose their gifts personally.
Adoptions are full for this year.
All family spots have been filled for this Christmas season — thank you! You can still make a meaningful difference by giving through the Merry Measure Match below.
Give Through Merry Measure MatchDonate to the Merry Measure Match
The Merry Measure Match fund ensures that every family HOPEmatch serves still receives a personalized experience — even in last-minute or unexpected situations. Your donation goes directly toward gifts, delivery, and the personal touches that make each family feel truly seen.
The HOPEmatch Process
Here's how we match deserving families with generous givers.
- 1
Nominate
Community members nominate someone in need — a neighbor, coworker, or family they know is struggling this season.
- 2
Screen
Trained HopeMatch volunteers carefully review each nomination to confirm eligibility and assess the family's needs.
- 3
Call
Selected families are surprised with the wonderful news that they have been chosen to receive help this Christmas.
- 4
Match
Generous donors choose a family to support and shop their personalized wish list — a real family's real wishes.
- 5
Deliver
Volunteers prepare, label, and deliver gifts to each family, ensuring everything arrives with care and dignity.
- 6
Chat
After delivery, families are contacted to assess ongoing needs and connect them to available community resources.
- 7
Support
HopeMatch continues to walk alongside enrolled families, providing assistance well beyond the holiday season.
- 8
Give
Previously served families are invited to volunteer and pay their blessing forward — hope multiplied in the community.
Common Questions
Everything you need to know about giving hope for the holidays.
How are families verified?
Each nomination is screened and verified before we match it with a donor. Our trained volunteers review every submission to confirm the family's situation and eligibility, so your generosity reaches those who truly need it.
Does HopeMatch participate in Corporate Matching Gift Programs?
Yes! HopeMatch is listed with major Charlotte-area employers. If your company offers a matching gift program, request inclusion through your HR department. Contact us for more information on getting HopeMatch added to your employer's approved list.
How is HopeMatch different from other Christmas charities?
We emphasize a deeply personalized giving experience. Rather than donating to a general pool, you receive an actual wish list from a real family you've been matched with. Families also send thank-you cards that HopeMatch forwards to donors every January — so you see the direct impact of your gift.
Is HopeMatch only a Christmas charity?
Not at all! HopeMatch started as a Christmas program in 2010, but we have grown into much more — serving families year-round through Acts of HOPE, Project Celebrate!, Identity Groups, Back to School Bash, and more. We actively seek monthly donors and year-round partners to sustain our mission.