Holiday giving
Area food banks and social service agencies are collecting donations to help the needy through the Christmas and NewYear's holidays. For a complete list, see www. mercurynews. com.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY Asian Americans for Community Involvement ( AACI)
is asking for brand new, unwrapped gifts for families in its Youth Development Services Program and Domestic Violence Program/ Asian Women’s Home. AACI provides services for at- risk and high- risk youth impacted by substance abuse and gang activity as well as abused women, children, and men. The group is asking for $ 40 Target gift cards, toys, arts & crafts supplies, winter clothing, sporting equipment, etc. Car and monetary donations are also welcome. Donations made by Dec. 14 are much appreciated. Please contact 408- 9752730x223 or dvvolunteer@ aaci. org for a full wish list. Formore information about AACI, please visit www.aaci.org.
Alum Rock Counseling Center
will have a virtual Santa’s Workshop with age- and gender- specific toys and bikes for approximately 200 children aged from infancy to teens. In addition we would like to provide our families with a bag of holiday treats on the day of distribution. Donations of large rolls of wrapping paper, tape, ribbons and bows, baskets, tinned cookies, candy, non- perishable food, bottled water, and more. ARCC’s drive ends on Dec. 14. Monetary donations are also welcomed as we will need to rent an on- site mobile storage unit to accomodate donations for up to two weeks. Contact Stephanie at 408- 240- 0070, info@ alumrockcc. org ( Attention: Stephanie) or go to www. alumrockcc. org.
Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto.
The non denominational and nonprofit organization provides monetary assistance to more than 3,100 individuals, including low- income families, seniors and adults. The checks are used by recipients to meet their own individual needs. The group says 99 percent of donations go to help people afford basic necessities like food, clothes and medicine. Send tax deductible checks to: Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto, P. O. Box 51874, Palo Alto, CA 94303.
The VMC Foundation,
the nonprofit fundraising arm of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, seeks donations to support the New Directions program that helps homeless men and women who use Valley Medical Center’s emergency services. New Directions helps break the cycle of homelessness by providing access to a doctor, treatment, transportation, food and even housing to homeless patients. VMC is the only local hospital that will treat everyone regardless of ability to pay. To donate, visit www. vmc foundation. org, call 408- 885- 5299, or write a check payable to VMC Foundation, New Directions, 2400 Moorpark Ave., Suite 207, San Jose, CA 95128.
Heart of the Valley for seniors.
Bring some holiday cheer to the seniors of our community with thoughtful gifts. We are accepting stuffed animals, candies, cookies, cheese baskets, games, gift cards, warm hats, scarves, gloves, crossword and Sudoku puzzles, disposable cameras with a flash, night lights, batteries, unscented soaps and lotion, greeting cards, books of postage stamps, magazines, coffee and tea. All donations are tax deductible. Drop off or mail a gift for a senior to Heart of the Valley. Call for address information. 408241- 1571.