Area nonprofits have Christmas wish lists
| By Katrina Koerting, The News & Advance, Lynchburg, Va. | |
| McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Local nonprofit organizations see both an increase in donations and an increase in need as Christmas approaches. The colder months make it harder to live outside or in a home with no power, driving up demands for a warm place to sleep, as well as help with utilities. Many nonprofits also try to do something special for their clients this time of year, providing presents or food boxes along with the usual services.
But caring for those in need cannot be done without help from the community as a whole.
"I think people donate because they want to do something to give back to the community and help those who are less fortunate than themselves," said
"I just think it's in people's nature to help other people during the holiday," Phelps said.
Phelps said while the need for help never abates, many organizations take up extra collections this time of year to help their clients have a special holiday.
"A lot of agencies do something so individuals can contact an agency to see how they can donate goods or money to make these activities work," she said.
The biggest need she's seen in the community this time of year is assistance with utility bills, especially among people with fixed incomes. Phelps' office has received more than 4,500 requests this year for help with utilities. The decrease in government subsidies for the
Opportunities to help extend beyond local nonprofits to churches and municipalities.
Each jurisdiction in
The
More than 1,500 area children received toys through the
The
He said he finds people more willing to dig into their pockets around the holidays because they are reminded of those less fortunate than them, especially as they open presents in a warm house.
"We can't do it by ourselves, and we understand the importance of a community coming together to aid these needs," Dohmann said.
The need also is greater at this time. As soon as the temperatures drop, the shelter attendance increases from about 40 people up to full capacity at 83 with a waiting list, Dohmann said.
In addition to physical donations, nonprofits also can use volunteers and monetary donations.
Volunteers are needed in numerous capacities. Whether it's ringing a bell for the
"That's a great opportunity for someone who can't afford to help but can give their time to help raise the resources that are needed," Dohmann said.
For the
"I think the season itself has a focus on helping others as well," Scrivener said.
The
Since the organization is 100 percent donor-driven, the food drives are a "tremendous" help to the community, Scrivener said.
"The
A comprehensive program for frail adults that offers a variety of health, social and supportive services in a protected setting.
--
--Wish list: Boombox that plays cassette tapes and CDs, shuffleboard game, portable sound system with cordless microphone or a karaoke machine, bingo prizes (especially for men)
The Agape Center
An outreach ministry based in
--
--Wish list: towels, sheets of all sizes, curtains, silverware, pots and pans, baby equipment, sofas, dressers, mattresses and box springs of all sizes, washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators and air-conditioning units.
Part of a global, nonprofit housing organization that builds homes for low-income families.
--
--Wish list: Used tools such as hammers, battery-powered drills, power saws; used Paslode cordless trim gun; used metal brake (bends aluminum for trim); standard shower; full-sized bed (new or gently used); full-sized mattress and box spring (new); dining room table and chairs (to seat 4 or 6); pre-lit Christmas tree; copy paper for office; regular stamps for office.
The
A humanitarian organization whose programs include disaster relief, support to members of the armed forces and health and safety education.
--
--Wish list: Items for military care packages such as cookies, candy, nuts, gum, beef jerky; toiletries such as lens cleaners, disposable razors, shampoo and toothpaste. Also accepting holiday cards for troops through
Amherst Cares
A nonprofit organization providing take-home meals to needy
--P.O. Box 451,
--Wish list: canned goods including ravioli, spaghetti, lasagna, fruit, chicken noodle soup, tuna; boxes or cups of macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles, Pop-tarts, juice boxes of 100-percent juice, whole grain cereal, granola bars, fruit bars, individual packs of instant oatmeal and hot chocolate mix, small jars of peanut butter, toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste.
The Arc of
A nonprofit organization that provides programs and services for citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
--
--Wish list: junior laptops, women's pocketbooks, men's wallets, small personal CD players, smaller music keyboards, portable toy cash register, washable art supplies, board and card games, personal computers, outdoor glider.
Bedford Christian Ministries
A nonprofit and outreach ministry of 29 area churches that provides food, clothing and household items to the needy.
--
--Wish list: Any type of winter clothing including blankets, coats, gloves, hats, scarves, socks and shoes.
A nonprofit working to ensure all
--P.O. Box 1353,
--Wish list: pajamas in all sizes, sleep pants for teens, coats (especially sizes 4-20 for boys and girls), hats, gloves, scarves, coffee makers, pots and pans, towel sets, blankets, dolls, Lego sets, watches, cameras and toothbrushes.
Bedford Domestic Violence Services
Provides support and education to victims of domestic violence as well as concerned family members, friends and residents, including shelter and some court services.
--P.O. Box 783,
--Wish list: Household items including cleaners, brooms, laundry supplies, pillows, sheets, towels, trash bags, paper towels, toilet paper. Personal-care items including deodorant, hairbrushes and products, cotton balls, dental floss, sanitary products. Infant care items including disposable diapers, formula, baby foods, snacks, juices, socks, children's underwear, sweat suits, DVDs. Non-perishable foods including cereal, canned goods, peanut butter. First-aid items, Tylenol, cough-cold medicine. School supplies including pencils, markers, notebooks, backpacks. Christmas: new toys, wrapping paper, tape.
Blue
--P.O. Box 1332,
--Wish list: shelf-stable foods such as canned soups, canned vegetables, bottled water, crackers, cookies and fruit cups.
An area nonprofit organization that distributes food through its 50 partner agencies.
--
--Wish list: canned fruits, canned meats, pasta, canned vegetables, soup, chili, beef stew, boxed meals, macaroni and cheese, cereal, oatmeal, rice and shelf-stable milk.
--A nonprofit organization that serves 21 counties and seven cities in central southwest and southside
--
--Wish list: Wooden recurve bow and arrow, cast iron boxwood stove, 12-gauge shotgun shells and skeet, laundry detergent, yard tools such as shovels and rakes, hand tools such as hammer, screw drivers and tape measures; brooms and dust pans, copy paper, commercial-grade photocopier.
An organization with two club locations in
--
--Wish list: playground parachute, arts and crafts activities and supplies, basketballs, dodge balls, kick balls, portable soccer goals, new or used desktop or laptop computer, new or used fax machine, ShootOut electronic basketball game, various board games for all ages, Xbox360, Wii controllers and games rated E (everyone) or T (teen), ladder ball toss, Sharpie markers, electric pencil sharpener, digital camera, folding chairs.
A nonprofit organization that serves an equine center for rehabilitating injured and unwanted horses.
--
--Wish list:
A nonprofit organization that provides meals, medical transportation and supportive services to seniors in Region 2000.
--
--Wish list: A reliable automobile, Wii consoles, heavy-duty vacuum.
DAWN (Donation A Week Neighbor)
The emergency help agency and food pantry was created in 1982 to help those in the
--
--Wish list: Canned foods such as applesauce, box cereals, boxed macaroni and cheese, soups, corn, muffin mix, fruit, green beans, grits, Jell-O, jelly or jam, loaf bread, pasta and sauce, peanut butter, peas, dry pinto beans, pork and beans, potatoes, saltine crackers, tomatoes, vegetable oil and shortening, etc; bar soap, toilet paper, empty printer ink cartridges.
A nonprofit agency that provides medical, dental and pharmaceutical services to persons from low-income households without health insurance,
--
--Wish list: Office supplies, cleaning supplies, toothpaste and brushes, soap and personal hygiene items, wheelchairs, bandages, new computers, cleaning supplies, dental supplies, medical supplies, prescription medications (unopened, non-controlled and in date); chairs, locking cabinets, CPAP machines, air compressor, autoclave, dental chair, examination table.
The Gateway
Provides transitional housing and support services for homeless men recovering from addiction.
--
--Wish list: coffee grounds, frozen trays of dinner food, hardy varieties of Progresso soups, cereal (Raisin Bran and Corn Flakes are current favorites), snack items (chips, cookies, candy, etc.), bath and hand towels, washcloths.
The organization serves close to 8,000 girls in a 36-area county area within Central,
--
--Wish list: New or gently used sleeping bags; drapery or other fabric for sleeping bag sacs; permanent markers, glue sticks and tacky glue; camping tents; tools such as corded power drills, screwdrivers, claw hammers, slip joint pliers, small work gloves and safety goggles; an outdoor, permanent PA system for amphitheater; wood-building kits such as birdhouses, bookends, etc; scissors; 12-inch paving stones; a 22-pound recurve bow; safety goggles; adult arm guards; shooting gloves; an archery curtain and carbon shaft arrows with a 30-inch target tip for the archery range.
Gleaning for the World
Delivers humanitarian aid to people affected by poverty and disasters worldwide.
--
--Wish list: new outerwear for adults and children such as coats, hats, gloves, socks, etc.; new blankets; new sleeping bags; tents and outdoors equipment; pet food and accessories such as bedding, collars, litter, dishes, etc.
--A nonprofit organization that provides temporary and emergency housing for men, women and children, with the hope of helping individuals and families access services that will move them toward self-sufficiency.
--
--Wish list: Linens and blankets for twin-size beds; personal care kits for men and women; towels and washcloths; kitchen utensils and silverware; pots and pans; small dressers.
Hunters for the Hungry
A nonprofit organization that provides families and food banks with 200 quarter-pound servings of venison meat per deer harvested from hunters.
--P.O. Box 304,
--Wish list: Hunters may provide field-dressed deer at following locations: Green Valley Meat Processing and Steve's Butcher Shop in
An organization that provides academic, athletic and occupational programs that foster personal, social and spiritual growth and the stability of families.
--
--Wish list: sports equipment such as basketballs and kick balls; healthy snacks; school supplies such as pencils, scissors, glitter, construction paper, tape, markers and pens; printer ink -- HP 57, 58, 92, 93, 94, 95, 901, 920; composition notebooks; healthy snacks; computer paper; gift cards to
Kids' Haven
A center that offers free support groups to grieving children ages 3 to 18 and their families.
--
--Wish list: corkboards; vacuum cleaner; white boards; paper and plastic products such as plates, cups and plastic ware; craft supplies such as glue, markers, paints, etc.
Lake Christian Ministries
A nonprofit, faith-based organization that provides food, crisis financial aid, clothing and other essential household items to low-income individuals and families experiencing unexpected occurrences.
--
--Wish list: Winter clothing, linens, towels, household goods, dishes, box springs and mattresses, appliances and furniture.
A residential community for people with intellectual disabilities and those who support them. Each home -- two of which are in
--
--Wish list: Paper products such as paper towels, tissues, toilet paper, napkins, paper plates, paper cups, etc.; new bath towels, washrags and hand towels; kitchen towels; new twin- and full-sized sheets, blankets and pillow cases; afghans or throws; new bed pillows; DVDs, Wii games, books on tape and family-friendly games; new pots/pans and kitchen cooking utensils; gifts for adult men and women; gardening tools; seasonal and Christmas decorations; cushions for patio furniture; flashlights and batteries; jumper cables and emergency car kits for vehicles; stamps.
Offers an array of services to help low- and moderate-income families, including job training, emergency assistance, childcare services and free tax preparation.
--
--Wish list: food pantry donations including turkeys or hams for holiday dinners; beds and mattresses; new or gently used household furniture; office supplies; a carpet cleaner; children's toys; new or gently used clothing.
Lynchburg
A nonprofit organization that serves lunch daily to the homeless and hungry.
--
--Wish list: Cleaning supplies for bathrooms and kitchens, degreasers, paper towels, 55-gallon trash bags, sugar, plastic forks and spoons, foam cups, aluminum foil, plastic wrap and condiments such as salad dressing, ketchup, mustard and mayo.
A nonprofit organization that employs people with disabilities.
--
--Wish list: Desktop computer, laptop computer, kitchen cabinet with countertop for lunchroom, coach, awning for bus stop, landscaping gravel, a gazebo, picnic tables, an industrial-grade sewing machine, refrigerator.
A nonprofit organization that provides early childhood learning experiences and care.
--
--Wish list: Beanbag chair, boys and girls dress-up clothes (superheroes and cartoon characters), baby wipes and tissues, anything age-appropriate for infants to preschoolers.
Meals on
Delivers hot lunches five days a week to the elderly, disabled and frail.
--
--Wish list: Tray favors -- small holiday-themed trinkets (ornaments, magnets, cards, etc.) that can be placed on food trays; and Birthday boxes -- shoebox-sized boxes filled with personal care items, cards, puzzles and other things that can be given to clients on their birthdays. Please wrap in way that allows staff to check contents before delivery.
Mental Health America of
A nonprofit that promotes mental health and works to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness through advocacy, education, research and service for
--
--Wish list: Wall-mountable television for education and psycho-education groups; large, wall-mountable dry-erase board; office supplies such as tape, scissors, rubber bands, paper clips, markers, dry-erase markers, printer ink, toner for copier, copier paper; paper products such as paper plates, napkins, paper towels, plastic cutlery; small new toys for young children; small to medium new stuffed animals for therapy; children's magazines; furniture for group room; cleaning supplies.
A nonprofit private group home for girls between the ages of four and 21.
--
--Wish list: Bed pillows, house slippers for girls (medium and large sizes), bath towels and washcloths, lighted make-up mirrors, washing machine and dryer, white hampers for clothes, high-efficiency laundry detergent, primary-color twin sheet sets, gift cards for clothing needs, gift cards for movie theaters.
Miriam's House
A nonprofit organization designed to help end the cycle of homelessness by empowering women to live independently through support services.
--
--Wish list: Cleaning supplies; paper products such as toilet paper, paper towels and napkins; laundry detergent; twin sheets, pillows and towels; bus passes; gift cards to area grocery stores; diapers.
A Christian transitional shelter for women in crisis situations.
--P.O. Box 10144,
--Wish list: Daily subscriptions to The News & Advance, bus passes and gas cards, a functioning vehicle, title to a five-bedroom house.
Founded in 1961, the organization offers a safe place for children when their family dynamics, behavior or other circumstances prevent them from living at home. There are seven group homes in five locations --
--
--Wish list: New twin sheets, comforters, pillows, bath towels and wash cloths; shower caddies; clothes hampers; door mirrors; bath mats; shower curtains; clothes hangers; scatter rugs; newly released books; new/gently used laptops; new/used washers and dryers; new/used chest freezers; small kitchen appliances; hair products; restaurant gift cards; surge protectors; USB flash drives; copy paper; dry-erase boards; sticky notepads; file folders and new CD-R/DVD-R.
A nonprofit, faith-based organization that provides outreach ministries and community service through programs for food assistance, emergency financial assistance and summer lunch for school children, among others.
--
--Wish list: Refrigerator, microwave and vacuum cleaner.
A nonprofit organization that provides residential care and early-childhood education.
--
--Wish list: Nonperishable food and snack items, diapers (size 1 is greatest need), personal hygiene items, baby board books, toys, formula, breast pads and breast milk storage bags, baby wipes, Pack 'n Plays, composition notebooks, dry-erase markers, tissues, gas cards, fast-food gift cards, soft-cover Bibles, coloring books, family-friendly movies, GLTC bus passes.
Provides affordable rental housing for low-income people with disabilities.
--
--Wish list: bus passes for tenants; new winter hats, scarves and gloves; donors for the Holiday Rush program, which matches donors with people in need; gift cards, movie tickets, books, games and puzzles.
An international nonprofit agency that helps people with housing, food and clothing and shares
--
--Wish list: Nonperishable items including turkeys, complete box meals that contain pasta, canned chicken and sauce, toys and clothes for children.
A nonprofit Christian hunger ministry that salvages fresh produce and delivers it to soup kitchens and food banks across
--
--Wish list: Dial scale capable of weighing up to 100 pounds to weigh food in the fields, vacuum cleaner, dust-buster, amplifier and two speakers for video and PowerPoint presentations, Bunn coffee maker.
A nonprofit organization whose mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for everyone.
--
--Wish list: Sports equipment including baseball and softball gloves, basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, lacrosse items, tennis racquets, footballs; new office furniture for the Childcare Space.
A multicultural organization whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women by providing safe places for women and girls, building strong women leaders and advocating for women's rights.
--
--Wish list: Refrigerators; gas, grocery and calling gift cards; bus passes; hygiene items; towels, washcloths and bath items; dental products; linens; canned food items; dry milk; paper goods; detergent.
Local Humane Societies
Nonprofit organizations that shelter homeless animals, advocate for their protection and investigate cruelty.
--
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--
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--Wish list: Dog and cat toys; rawhides; non-dyed, non-fish pet food; blankets, towels, and old comforters; Kuranda cat beds; bleach and laundry detergent.
--Humane societies also offer many opportunities to foster animals. Contact a local office for more information.
-- Compiled by staff writers
___
(c)2013 The News & Advance (Lynchburg, Va.)
Visit The News & Advance (Lynchburg, Va.) at www.newsadvance.com
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