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.
Local Government Meetings: June 8-12, 2026
This week in local government: final budget votes in Hillsborough, Pittsboro, Chapel Hill, and Durham County.
Photo Gallery: 2026 Chapel Hill Pride Promenade
On Saturday, June 6, hundreds of Chapel Hill residents and members of the community gathered to celebrate Pride Month. Here are photos.
Pair of W. Franklin Street Restaurants Permanently Shutter in May
The Central American restaurant The Latin Effect closed on May 28, while Rams Corner closed to Franklin Street customers earlier in the month.
Morris Grove Elementary School Dismissing Students Early Wednesday Due to Power Outage
Morris Grove Elementary School in Chapel Hill is dismissing students at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday after a fallen tree knocked out power to the building. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools first notified the community about the power, internet and phone outage at 9:14 a.m. Wednesday morning, identifying the cause as a fallen tree in the area of […]
CHCCS High Schools Win State Championships in Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer
Two local high schools each took home state championships last weekend. Chapel Hill High School took home the North Carolina 7A championship in women’s lacrosse, while Carrboro High won the 4A championship in women’s soccer. View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram Chapel Hill High won the women’s lacrosse title, its first […]
Chapel Hill Announces Adjusted Hours for Indoor Recreational Facilities and Centers
A difficult financial landscape is causing both residents and our local governments to tighten their budgets. In Chapel Hill, the town’s Parks and Recreation Department is adjusting its facilities hours – which helps keep costs more efficient, but leaders say also addresses bigger goals of the parks crew. The updates, as announced on Monday, shift […]
Géos Tavern & Oyster Bar Set To Open In Chapel Hill June 8
Géos Tavern & Oyster Bar is set to open Monday, June 8. The restaurant will feature seafood inspired by the flavors of North Carolina cooking.
The Morning News: Local Town Budgets, Diamond Heels Advance
Andrew Stuckey fills in for Aaron Keck with the morning news. In todays news: Hillsborough and Carrboro struggle with budgets that don't include tax increases. Also: a look ahead at the month of June, a check of the local government meeting schedule, and the Chapel Hill Community Center reopens. In sports, the Diamond Heels advance to the baseball super regional, and more.
›