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 5:00 News: U-Haul Hits Gas Station, Yan Memorial, Football Weekend
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, we learn of an accident in Hillsborough where a U-Haul truck hit multiple cars and people as it crashed into a gas station on NC 86. Additionally, a major accident involving a tractor-trailer on I-85 caused traffic delays all afternoon. On campus, the community marked the two year anniversary of the shooting death of  Zijie Yan in Caudill Labs. In sports, the UNC football team and Chapel Hill prepare for the official start of the Bill Belichick era,  both soccer teams win, and more.
Chapel Hill: Football Game Day, UPROAR Conclusion, Pedestrian Safety
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, August 28, discussing town news and events. She talked about game day in Chapel Hill, as football season is set to begin on Monday for UNC. She discussed the conclusion of the UPROAR Arts Festival in Orange County, provided an update on some pedestrian safety features recently added on some of the busier streets around town, and more.
Labor Day to Affect Local Government Services Around Orange County Community (2025)
Monday marks the observance of Labor Day, which is meant to celebrate the contribution of workers and employees across the United States. With that, the local governments in Orange County will be giving many of their employees the day off, which will affect certain local government services. Ahead of the holiday on Monday, September 1, […]
The 5:00 News: Hypothetical Elementary School Closure, Chapel Hill Football Game Day
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools explores what closing an elementary school would hypothetically look like. We hear from Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell on a Unified Development Ordinance meeting tonight. In sports, UNC Football General Manager Michael Lombardi talks about the importance of the game day experience in Chapel Hill,  and more.
Honduran, Latin American Food Truck Prepares to Open W. Franklin Street Restaurant in September
Chapel Hill is about to feature a new addition to its restaurant lineup: The Latin Effect, which is expanding from its food truck operations.
On Air Today: Social Media Manager Henry Taylor on Reels, Hollow Knight, and More
The Hill and Chapelboro.com Social Media Manager Henry Taylor spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, August 26. They discussed the latest on 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com social media platforms, including a recent Instagram Reel about our ongoing GoFundMe campaign. He also discussed a recent collaboration with Kolapasi Indian Canteen, his and the rest of the Internet's eager anticipation of the video game Hollow Knight's sequel, and more.
On the Porch: Ellen Brown - Myths about Money
This Week: Ellen Brown is an attorney and author of thirteen books and hundreds of articles (all on her blog at http://EllenBrown.com). Her titles include the bestselling "Web of Debt" and "Nature's Pharmacy," co-authored with Dr. Lynne Walker, along with "The Public Bank Solution" and her latest book "Banking on the People."  She graduated from UC Berkeley in 1967 and from UCLA Law School in 1977; practiced law for ten years in Los Angeles; then spent 11 years abroad, in Kenya, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, with her husband and two children. She co-founded and chaired of the Public Banking Institute from which she retired in Spring of 2025 
Chapel Hill Police: Body of Deceased Male Discovered Inside Siena Hotel; Franklin Street Reopened
A block of E. Franklin Street is shut down as authorities communicate with an individual who's barricaded themselves inside the Siena Hotel.
›