Give Back this Holiday Season
Want to help those in need this holiday season?
Governor and First Lady Lee are continuing their beloved Christmas tradition of inviting guests to bring requested items in support of nonprofits across the state.
The First Lady’s initiative, Tennessee Serves, works to mobilize Tennesseans to serve their neighbors and highlight nonprofits doing transformative work across the state. In partnership with Tennessee Serves, the Governor and First Lady invite guests to participate in giving back during the holiday season by bringing requested items to support the work of five select nonprofits across the state. The five nonprofits serve diverse groups of Tennesseans and represent each Grand Division.
Guests are encouraged to bring items to donate from the nonprofits' lists provided below. Donated items will be collected at the start of each tour and placed under Christmas trees in Conservation Hall that have been decorated to represent each nonprofit.
Please note: Donations are NOT required to attend. Items should be new (or gently used where specified). Items should NOT be gift-wrapped.
Cash donations CANNOT be accepted onsite at the Tennessee Residence; however, online donation links for each nonprofit are provided below and onsite at the Christmas tours.
West Tennessee
Creative Aging Memphis
Collected items will benefit senior citizens in West Tennessee, helping to promote healthy aging and combat isolation
New art supplies suitable for adults such as:
- Watercolor paint sets
- Acrylic paint sets
- Paint brush sets
- Canvases
- Drawing paper pads
- Drawing pencil sets
- Charcoal sets
- Gift cards for art supply stores like Hobby Lobby or Michael's
Donate Online to Creative Aging Memphis
Birthright of Memphis
Collected items will provide needed resources to expecting mothers, babies and families in West Tennessee
- Baby bottles, 4-6 and 8-9 oz sizes (new)
- Infant board books (new or gently used)
- Infant onesies, in sizes from preemie up to and including 9 months (new or gently used)
- Infant sleepers, in sizes from preemie up to and including 9 months (new or gently used)
- New baby toiletry items (baby shampoo, body wash, lotion, diaper cream)
Donate Online to Birthright of Memphis
Middle Tennessee
Jonathan's Path
Collected items will benefit teenage girls and boys in foster care and those aging out of foster care in Middle Tennessee
- Young adult books (ages 12+)
- Cozy blankets/throws/weighted blankets
- Fuzzy/warm socks
- Board games/card games
- New sweatshirts (teen girls and boys all sizes)
Donate online to Jonathan’s Path
Dismas House
Collected items will benefit men in Middle Tennessee re-entering society following incarceration
- Compact umbrellas
- Bed pillows (new)
- Bath towels, hand towels, and wash cloths (new)
- Backpacks (new or gently used)
- Water bottles (new)
- Sneakers sizes 9-12 (new)
- Work boots sizes 9-12 (new)
- Work pants or jeans (new or gently used)
- Basic sets of tools for household repairs
- Ground coffee
- Copy paper
East Tennessee
Sevier County Food Ministries
Collected items will meet needs of low-income families in East Tennessee
- Cereal
- Rice
- Dried beans
- Canned soups and entrees
- Peanut butter
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Macaroni and cheese
- Pasta sauce and noodles
- Batteries
- Ziploc bags
- Can openers
- Binder clips
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Diapers and wipes