Every year the Alexandria Office on Women organizes a holiday party for children and their mothers who have been recently served by the Domestic Violence Program. 

At the party, the families can reunite with past shelter friends and staff, eat and take pictures with Santa Claus, among other events. Each mother and child also receives a bag of gifts to place under their tree. 

Families look forward to this event annually, and the communitys generosity is what makes it such a success, said an AOW spokesperson. 

For those who want to participate in the event, gift suggestion lists are available. AWO asks that all gifts remain unwrapped. They also request gift certificates to area stores in denominations of $25 as a way for each woman to purchase something special for herself or her children.

The party will be held Wednesday, December 16. Donations can be made to the Office on Women, 421 King St., Suite 400, Alexandria, Va., from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on holidays. The deadline for having unwrapped gifts delivered or picked-up is Friday, December 11, by 4 p.m. 

The AWO is also available to pick up donations if you are unable to bring them to the office. For further information, contact Shannon McGregor at 703-838-4911 or email her at Shannon.mcgregor@alexandriava.gov.   

Thank you for helping to make this a great event for the children and families we serve, AWO said in a statement.