Share the Joy: Christmas Volunteer Opportunities with LSS-SW

This Christmas season, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest invites volunteers across our synod to help bring joy, dignity, and welcome to our neighbors—newly arrived refugee families, older adults, and children in foster and kinship care. With gift-wrapping, delivery, shopping support, card-making, and mentoring opportunities in both Tucson and the Phoenix area, there are many ways to serve.

Key dates:

• All Christmas gifts and handmade cards due by December 15 in Phoenix or Tucson

• Gift delivery to refugee apartments: December 18–21 (Tucson & Phoenix)

• Tucson gift-wrapping: Week of December 15

• Phoenix Shopping Guides (Mesa, Phoenix, Glendale): December 19 — shifts from 9am to 7pm

• Volunteer sign-up: volunteers@lss-sw.org (include your city)

This year, LSS-SW will distribute more than 1,500 gifts across all service areas—slippers and robes for older adults, and toys and games for children of all ages. Current progress toward gift goals includes 45% of slippers, 12% of robes, and 6% of toys. Donations may be dropped off on or before December 15, or purchased through the Amazon Wish List here.

Alongside Christmas opportunities, LSS-SW also seeks volunteers for ongoing service, including Refugee Youth Mentors, Group English Tutors (Tucson), and Homework Helpers for foster families (Phoenix/Laveen/Buckeye).

As people of Advent hope, Lutherans understand service not as seasonal charity but as a response to God’s incarnation among us—Christ showing up in the neighbor, especially those most vulnerable. Your time, presence, and generosity help embody that promise.

To ask questions or sign up, email volunteers@lss-sw.org and indicate your city.