Every year, through the YMCA Giving Tree, community members - young and old - have the opportunity to bring joy, spread light, and make holiday wishes come true for those in need in the Fargo/Moorhead/West Fargo community. Read below to learn more about the Y's giving efforts this holiday season and find an opportunity that fits with you and your family.
Every year, the YMCA Giving Tree gives our community the chance to share joy, kindness, and hope during the holiday season. Beginning November 1, Giving Trees will be set up at both Fercho and Schlossman YMCAs, as well as other locations in the community. Anyone is welcome to select a tag and shop for a local child or teen in need.
If you have children ages 0–18 who may go without basic needs or a gift this holiday season, we invite you to sign them up for the YMCA Giving Tree.
NEW IN 2025: Eligibility Guidelines
We know the need in our community continues to grow. To make sure we can serve families in the fairest way, we have eligibility guidelines. Parents or guardians will be asked to share documents and complete information for each child when registering.
Registration Details:
- Forms will be accepted until we reach capacity.
- Registration is open until Monday, November 3 at Noon, or if we reach capacity prior to that time.
- To register, you will need to create an account and complete the online form. (The form works best on a computer).
- Families must upload required documents.
Who Can Register:
- Youth ages 0–18 living in Cass County (ND) or Clay County (MN).
- New this year! Families may only register for one program (YMCA or Salvation Army).
- Duplicate or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Register Children in Need
If you know children in need of holiday gifts, please refer or register them for our Giving Tree! Registration is open now and will remain open until Noon on Monday, November 3, 2025, unless we reach capacity prior to that date.
- Current/Previous YMCA Members & Program Participants: To get started, simply click "create account" and enter the same email you have used in the past with your registration.
- New Users: If you have never created an online account with our YMCA, you will be directed to do prior to your registration. Then you can continue on to your registration
Giving Tree Locations
| YMCA of the Northern Sky | Starting November 1! |
| Fercho YMCA | 400 1st Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103 |
| Schlossman YMCA | 4243 19th Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103 |
Your generosity brings so much joy and hope to families who may not otherwise have presents to open this season! Read below to learn how you can support the effort!
Host a Tree
The more locations we're able to have trees with children's wish lists in our community, the more children the Giving Tree Program is able to serve. If you're interested in hosting a tree at your work, in your place of business, or at your church, please email: GivingTree@YMCANorthernSky.org to learn more.
Sponsor the 2025 Giving Tree Program
The YMCA Giving Tree would not be possible without the support of our community. If your business or organization would be interested in supporting this program as we serve children in need in our community during the holiday season, we would welcome your support.
2025 SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES (PDF)
Email GivingTree@YMCANorthernSky.org to learn how you can become a sponsor of this heartwarming community program.
Help Provide Gifts
Your generosity brings so much joy and hope to families who may not otherwise have presents to open this season! Read below to learn how you can support the effort!
Volunteer
Join the YMCA Elf Squad as a volunteer and help spread holiday joy! Various volunteer opportunities will be needed from October to December, including sorting and packing gifts, gift distribution, and more!
Volunteer for Giving Tree Here
Shop for a Child's Wishlist
Starting November 1, tags will be available at the Fercho and Schlossman YMCAs and other community locations. Pick a tag, buy the corresponding gift, and return it unwrapped to the YMCA by December 5.
Shop the Our Amazon and Target Gift Lists
Our biggest need items are on our Amazon and Target Gift Lists. Ship directly to the YMCA Elf Squad at the Fercho YMCA!
Donate Gift Cards for the Hard-To-Shop-For Teens
NEW THIS YEAR! We're hosting a gift card drive to help shop for Teens.
We have hundreds of teens requesting gifts each year, and they can be difficult to buy gifts for.
Gift card donations should be in increments of $25 to a food, entertainment, or retail establishment a teen would enjoy using.
Donate Monetarily
Make a cash donation that will allow our YMCA Giving Elves to directly purchase the gift items that are most requested by families, and ensure that every participant receives gifts and much needed necessities this holiday season.
Does Your Family Need Help?
- Please note: if your family is seeking resources, please call FirstLink at 211 or visit their website at myfirstlink.org
- If you are a Fergus Falls family in need, your local Giving Tree is provided through a partnership with the Salvation Army of Fergus Falls and the Blessing Closet. Please visit their website to learn more: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northern/FergusFalls/
Whatever holiday you and your family are celebrating this season, we wish you peace, joy, and hope!