Nonprofits search for donations, volunteers for the holiday
season
Let us know of ways to help during the holiday season, whether
through donating a bag of groceries, buying a gift for a needy
child or volunteer time. Below are some ways to help in San Benito
County.
We will continue to add to the list throughout the holiday
season so feel free to e-mail mf*****@pi**********.com with
suggestions of other worthy nonprofits or organizations that are
doing good deeds throughout the holiday season.
Nonprofits search for donations, volunteers for the holiday season
Let us know of ways to help during the holiday season, whether through donating a bag of groceries, buying a gift for a needy child or volunteer time. Below are some ways to help in San Benito County.
We will continue to add to the list throughout the holiday season so feel free to e-mail mf*****@pi**********.com with suggestions of other worthy nonprofits or organizations that are doing good deeds throughout the holiday season.
Holiday mail for heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
www.redcross.org/holidaymail
The American Red Cross is again sponsoring “Holiday Mail for Heroes,” a program that allows the public to send holiday cards to service members and their families around the world. Last year more than 600,000 cards were sent. Cards must be sent with proper postage and be received by Dec. 10 at the address above. Multiple cards can be sent in the same envelope, but individuals are asked to limit their contribution to 25 cards – 50 cards for school classes.
Grocery store collections
At Save-Mart, shoppers can purchase a $20 bag of groceries for donation and store staff will donate 10 percent of their total grocery bill to charity, in addition to the bag of food staples.
At Raley’s Nob Hill, shoppers can donate $10 for the “Food for Families” program at the checkout stand and the money goes to Community Pantry.
Toys for Tots campaign kicks off
341 Tres Pinos Road, Ste. A
637-9233
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has joined forces with the United States Marine Corps Reserve to collect gifts for Toys for Tots. New, unwrapped toys can be donated at more than 336 Northern California Coldwell locations, including the Hollister branch.
Chamberlain Children’s Center Holiday Toy Drive
www.chamberlaincc.org
637-8151
Members of the band Soul Kiss – Sara Denice-Ruvalcaba, Ronnie Ruvalcaba, Jim Kalogrides, Patrick Bahar and James Myrick – have paired up with staff of the Ridgemark Golf and Country Club for a Holiday Toy Drive that will benefit the children at Chamberlain Children’s Center.
Two dozen children will be spending the holidays at Chamberlains, including 12 girls ages 8 to 15 and 12 boys ages 6 to 14. The children submitted a wish list of items they would like (see complete list online at www.pinnaclenews.com). Some of the requests include jewelry for the girls, Bratz dolls and Fur Real Pets. The boys have asked for skateboard stuff, cars and Transformers, among other items.
St. Benedict’s/Sacred Heart Catholic Church
680 College St., 637-9212
Donations of food staples, canned and dry goods, are accepted at the parish office weekdays during open hours, as well as at each of the weekend Masses.
Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Benito County
www.casasanbenito.org
637-4992
Adopt a child: CASA will submit a list of a child’s wishes and needs and an individual or group can “adopt” the child by providing these items for him or her.
Donate gifts: An organization can provide unwrapped gifts – half for children from infants to 12 years old and half for ages 13 to 18 – equally divided among boys and girls. Suggested gifts include toys, books and gift cards.
Monetary donations will be used to purchase gifts for the children served by CASA, which is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Pleasant Valley Church
7455 Eigleberry St., Gilroy, 842-1320
Members of the church are trying to raise $4,000 so that they can provide gifts to 200 children and families. They are accepting monetary donations, or donations of toys. They will hold a service Dec. 14 and distribute gifts afterwards.
Community Pantry
www.communitypantry.com
1133 San Felipe Road, 637-0340
The local food bank staff and volunteers offer up meals to more than 1,700 San Benito County families each week. Unfortunately, as purse strings tighten on federal, state and local funding, the staff relies more and more on individuals to provide enough food to keep hungry residents fed.
Homeless Task Force
801-9531
Shelter staff and volunteers will be cooking meals at the Community Center on West Street and then transporting food to the shelter on South Side Road, more volunteers than ever are needed. In addition, donations of paper plates and disposable utensils will come in handy, as well as items that are always in need such as socks, hygiene products and blankets. To volunteer, or donate, contact Cindy Parr, shelter manager at 801-9531
