Holiday Gift Wrapping Fundraiser Needs Volunteers

Spread Holiday Cheer While Helping Animals in Need

The holiday season brings more than just festive cheer—it's a critical time for local animal shelters. The Humane Society of Eastern Carolina (HSEC) is calling on the community to support its annual Gift Wrapping Fundraiser at Greenville Mall. This beloved event not only simplifies holiday shopping for locals but directly funds lifesaving care for abandoned and neglected animals.

Event Details & Volunteer Opportunities

Located near Belk and Victoria's Secret at Greenville Mall, the fundraiser runs Wednesdays through Sundays until Christmas Eve. Volunteers are needed for flexible 2-3 hour shifts to professionally wrap presents for shoppers. No prior gift-wrapping experience or shelter volunteer history is required—just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Participants must be 18 years or older.

This festive service transforms last-minute shopping stress into charitable giving. Shoppers pay for wrapping services, with 100% proceeds supporting HSEC's operations, including medical care, food, and shelter for over 2,000 animals annually.

How You Can Help

Volunteers play a vital role in the fundraiser's success. To sign up, visit the HSEC volunteer portal or email [email protected]. Those unable to volunteer can still contribute by donating funds for wrapping supplies via Venmo (@humanesocietyeasterncarolina) with the note "gift wrap supplies." Every donation helps purchase paper, tape, ribbons, and other essential materials.

"This event is the backbone of our holiday fundraising. Without community volunteers, we simply couldn't provide the level of care our animals need during winter months," said HSEC staff.

Impact Beyond Wrapping Paper

Funds generated sustain HSEC's year-round programs, from spay/neuter initiatives to emergency medical treatments. Last year alone, the event raised over $15,000, enabling life-saving surgeries for injured animals like a puppy hit by a car and a cat with a respiratory infection. The shelter also relies on community donations of supplies—paper towels, bleach, cat food, and blankets—that can be dropped off at their Tupper Drive facility.

Related Volunteer Opportunities

For those inspired to give more, HSEC offers additional ways to help:

• Rover Nights: Host shelter dogs for sleepovers (crates and supplies provided)
• Mutt Strutters: Walk shelter dogs daily to improve adoptability
• Foster Programs: Temporary care for cats/kittens through Pitt County Animal Services

Join the Movement

As holiday shopping peaks, your time or donation can mean the difference between a cold shelter and a warm, loving home for an animal. "Volunteering here reminds us that community bonds extend to our most vulnerable creatures," shares a returning volunteer. "You leave feeling the true spirit of giving."

Whether you're a wrapping novice or a pro, your contribution directly impacts animals' lives. Sign up for a shift today and make this holiday season meaningful—for both your community and its four-legged residents.