Christmas House, the Chapel Hill Service League’s signature annual community outreach project, is changing up its model for the 2020 holiday season to accommodate changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The local non-profit shared a release this week announcing the change to Christmas House, which has been continually operating since 1950. Instead of the typical one-day shopping spree held by community members to find new toys, games, books, crafts and coats, volunteers with the service league can participate in handing out similar gifts to families in a drive-thru style.

According to the Chapel Hill Service League, placing Wish Trees and collection toy donations creates challenges with the ongoing spread of COVID-19. Families will instead be invited to an appointment-style drive-thru where volunteers will hand out gift cards, pre-packaged books and coats.

Additionally, Christmas House is accepting donations to help cover the costs of storing the thousands of items already collected and purchased for the 2020 holiday season, as well as the replacement of many with gift cards. Those willing to give can do so at the Christmas House PayPal website or by mail, with donations addressed to PO Box 3543, Chapel Hill, NC, 27515.

With this event each year, the Chapel Hill Service League helps more than 900 local children receive gifts and resources. Like usual, Christmas House will be held on the first Saturday in December. More information can be found on the service league’s website.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
If Helping Kids and Women is Your Passion…
Many of us lead very, very busy lives these days. We want to make a difference, but it is hard to choose where to focus our efforts. For those of us who are interested in charities that help local children and women, it seems that there are almost too many choices to consider (which is […]
Chapel Hill "Christmas House" Will Help Hundreds
The Chapel Hill Service League's annual Christmas House gives gifts to 800 kids each year.
The Evening News - Trial Update, Candidate Introductions, Football Preview
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news, including the latest on the Hedgepeth Murder Trial. We also hear from Chatham County Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores as part of our Candidate Introduction series. In sports, we get a preview of UNC Football's weekend road matchup with Pitt, and more.
Chapel Hill: Metro Mayors Conference, Fire Station and Affordable Housing, Senior Housing at Meadowmont
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, October 8, discussing town news and events. She joined on the telephone from Asheville, where she is participating in the Metro Mayors Conference. She also recapped this week's Chapel Hill Town Council meeting, which included approval of building a new fire station to replace Fire Station #4. She also discussed the affordable housing that would be a part of that project.
The Evening News: Hedgepeth Trial Update, Lower Booker Creek Trail Upgrade, Candidate Introductions
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the evening news. Included in this edition of the news, we get an update on the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial, which concluded jury selection and had opening statements today. We hear a story on a project to increase vegetation on the Lower Booker Creek Trail. We hear a candidate introduction from Orange County Commissioner Candidate Beth Bronson, and more. In sports, UNC Men's Basketball takes the spotlight at the ACC Tipoff event in Charlotte, and more.
The Morning News: Trails, Trials, and Property Revaluations
In today's news: nonprofits work to transform Chapel Hill's Lower Booker Creek Trail, and Orange County reexamines its property revaluation.
The Evening News - Hedgepeth Trial, Candidate Introduction, Local Government Meetings
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the evening news. Included this edition of the news, we hear the latest update on jury selection in the Hedgepeth murder trial. We also hear from Orange County Commissioner candidate Rani Dasi. We check in on the local government meeting schedule, and more. In sports, UNC Women's Basketball Head Coach Courtney Banghart talks about this year's version of the team, CBS Sports Classic tickets go on sale, and more.
The Evening News - Michael Jordan's Big Donation, Football Falls to Irish, Local Government Meetings
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, we learn of Michael Jordan making a $10 million donation to the UNC School of Social Work. We check this week's local government meetings. In sports, UNC Football falls to Notre Dame after a competitive performance, and more.
Local Government Meetings: October 5-9, 2026
This week in local government: Orange County Commissioners discuss data centers and property revaluation, while Carrboro talks composting.
18-Year-Old Arrested, Charged After Gunfire on West Franklin Street
The Chapel Hill Police Department has arrested and charged 18-year-old Axel Zizumbo after he reportedly fired a gun in the 100 block of West Franklin Street at around 7 p.m. Friday night. That area includes businesses such as the Yogurt Pump, White Sauce Bar & Grill and the Pulp Juice and Smoothie Bar. According to a […]
›