GTGB FAQ

FAQ Questions:

How much should I spend? How many gifts should I buy?
When can I find out about my family?
Can I contact my family?
Should I wrap my gifts?
Can non-Wash U people be involved?
Do you accept used clothing?
What do I do if I have an oversized gift (refrigerator, dryer, etc.)?
Can I get a tax deductible for my monetary expenses or donations to Give Thanks Give Back?

How much should I spend? How many gifts should I buy?
There’s no easy answer to these questions. As a general rule, we hope that each member of an adopted family will receive at least two gifts ($20 minimum). This could be a winter coat and a toy, a shirt and pants, shoes and a jacket, or a collection of smaller gifts (hat, gloves, scarf, socks, etc.). If you are worried that you cannot afford to buy two gifts, buy one and ask a friend to buy the second.

When can I find out about my family?
Social service agencies around St. Louis work to identify around 10,000 families in need. They send this information to the 100 Neediest Cases, and then this information is sent to us. E-mail us at gtgb @ restech.wustl.edu to sign up for a case. Follow the instructions listed on the Adoption page and you will be contacted by e-mail about your case assignment and information.

Can I contact my family?
No, you cannot. The 100 Neediest Cases guarantees the confidentiality of all the families, and therefore they will not give out contact info for these families. You will, however, receive the first names of all family members.

Should I wrap my gifts?
No, you should not wrap your gifts. Please label each gift with its full case number and the name of the family member and return the gifts to Campus Y November 7 - 11 from 10 AM - 4 PM. We will record and sort the gifts, and they will be wrapped at the Gift-wrapping Parties on November 12th and 19th. You can help by volunteering to wrap at these events. Sign up to do this by e-mailing gtgb @ restech.wustl.edu.

Can non-Wash U people be involved?
Certainly! We encourage you to serve as a liaison to those you know outside the WU community. Ask your social groups, friends, family, or place of worship to adopt a family! The only restriction is that we do ask that all liaisons be Washington University students, faculty, or staff.

Do you accept used clothing?
Each social service agency makes its own rules about used clothing. As a general rule, we ask that you not donate clothing which you would not be willing to wear.

What do I do if I have an oversized gift (refrigerator, dryer, etc.)?
The oversized gift process has changed a bit this year. We hope the changes will make it easier on those wishing to donate oversized gifts and on those who will be collecting them. This year, we are only accepting medium-sized gifts (in addition to gifts that are small enough to wrap). We ask that everyone please bring all medium sized gifts to the Campus Y with the rest of your gifts for your adopted family.

GTGB understands that some of the most requested items by families are oversized gifts such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators. Although we are not able to personally deliver these items ourselves, we recognize the great need for them. So, if you wish to donate any oversized gifts that GTGB cannot accept, you must be willing to transport the gift to the family on your own. You can personally deliver the item or pay for the item to be shipped to your family. Simply contact GTGB at gtgb@restech.wustl.edu and inform us that you would like your family’s contact information (which includes their telephone number and address). We will then reply to you with your family’s information (if your family released their information, which is usually kept confidential). It is then up to you to deliver the oversized gift item to your family.

GTGB will accept anything that can be carried easily by one person such as:

• Microwave
• Television – 20” or less
• Bicycle
• Small Furniture (small chair, small bookshelf, etc)

GTGB will NOT accept anything that cannot be carried by one person such as:

• Washer
• Dryer
• Refrigerator
• Bed Frame
• Mattress
• Desk
• Dresser
• Large Furniture

Please note: It is fine to give a slightly used oversized gift, as long as it is in good working condition

Can I get a tax deductible for my monetary expenses or donations to Give Thanks Give Back?
Due to the large number of cases being dealt with for Give Thanks Give Back, sponsors can only receive a tax deductible from contributing to Give Thanks Give Back through a monetary donation to 100 Neediest Cases. Any purchases on gifts or oversized items are not tax deductible as far as we know. If you are donating money to 100 Neediest Cases by sending a check through Give Thanks Give Back, please e-mail us at gtgb @ restech.wustl.edu.

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Questions? Feel free to contact us at gtgb @ restech.wustl.edu