Instructions

How can I give to the program?

You can brighten a child's holiday and help bring joy to children in need by giving in a variety of ways:

• Option 1: Select a child and make your donation online. We will gladly shop on your behalf for those making online cash donations.
• Option 2: Choose a child, shop for a gift, and drop it off at the sponsoring agency or Penquis.
• Option 3: General Donation - If you give a general donation, we’ll use it to ensure no child goes without a gift this holiday season.

Drop-Off Location: Penquis at 262 Harlow Street, Bangor, ME, is the central drop-off spot for all gifts. We'll ensure your donation reaches the correct site.

Search Options: Use the website to search for a child by town, age, or sponsoring agency.

Did my order go through?

If you don’t receive an order confirmation, please check your spam or junk folders or contact us directly. Your order likely went through but may have been blocked by security settings. We’ll gladly resend your confirmation with all the details and instructions. Remember, an average donation of $100 can fulfill a child’s holiday wishes.

Do I need to wrap the gifts?

No , please avoid wrapping the gifts to ensure they stay in good condition during transport. Gift bags, however, are a great alternative.

Is the Child ID Code important?

Yes, it is crucial! Please include the child ID code when returning the gift to ensure it reaches the correct child. If you’re unsure of the ID, contact us at rmuscatell@penquis.org , and we can look it up using your email or name. This helps us make sure the gift gets to the right child.

What can I expect when I drop off my gifts at Penquis?

You can drop off your gifts Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm , at 262 Harlow Street, Bangor, ME 04401. When you arrive, a friendly receptionist will greet you in the lobby. For curbside assistance, call or email Renae in advance at (207) 973-3558 or rmuscatell@penquis.org to schedule a time to meet you; either call. If you donate cash online, we will happily shop for you.

Mailing the gift directly to Penquis:

If you’re sending a gift directly to Penquis, please include the child’s ID code in the order notes or inform us, so we can ensure the gift reaches the right child. Thank you for your generosity!

What if I can’t find the gift item?

No worries—purchasing a gift card instead of a specific item is perfectly fine. We understand that shopping can be challenging, and finding certain items might be difficult. Rest assured, the families we work with appreciate and are grateful for any support they receive during the holiday season.

What do I do if there are no longer any specific children to sponsor, but I’d still like to donate to the program?

A heartfelt thank you to all who have supported children in need this holiday season. While the opportunity to select a child has passed, we still need your help to finish providing gifts for those on our list. Your continued generosity can still make a meaningful impact. If you'd like to contribute, please click here .

What is the sponsorship timer?

The sponsorship timer indicates how much time remains to complete your sponsorship order. To finalize your sponsorship, please visit the checkout page and process your order. If there is a period of inactivity, the sponsorships in your bag may expire to allow others the opportunity to sponsor. However, refreshing or navigating to any page on the CIFK site will reset the timer, giving you more time to explore. Thank you for your generosity and support!

We sincerely appreciate your support for children in our community during the holiday season. CIFK collaborates with a variety of participating agencies. The service providers for these organizations and programs identify families facing significant hardships and then enroll them in the CIFK program.

Thank you for adding joy this holiday season!