Holiday giving 2016
Area food banks and social service agencies are collecting donations to help the needy through the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. For a full list, go to www.mercurynews.com/tag/ nonprofits/. Here’s how you can help:
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) is asking for brand new, unwrapped gifts for low-income families served by our Domestic Violence Program/Asian Women’s Home and other programs. Also for $50 Target gift cards, non-violent toys, arts and crafts supplies, musical instruments, winter clothing and sporting equipment. Other gift card and monetary donations are also welcome. We are accepting donations through Dec. 16. Go to dv.aaci.org or contact 408-9752730, ext. 171 for a full holiday wish list. Alum Rock Counseling Center will provide a “shopping experience” for toys and bikes for approximately 300 at-risk children aged from infancy to teens, who otherwise might not receive a gift. Donations of money, toys (especially for teens), large rolls of wrapping paper, tape, ribbons and bows, baskets, cookies, candy, bottled water, and more would be greatly appreciated and will help to make the holidays special for these children. ARCC’s drive ends on Dec. 14. Contact Celia at 408-240-0070 or info@alumrockcc.org.
Bill Wilson Center provides counseling, education and housing for homeless youth in Santa Clara County. BWC’s Adopt-A-Family program is fulfilling the holiday wishes of more than 1,500 of, the neediest youth and families selected by the County Department of Family and Children’s Services. These families have cases with the DFCS due to abuse or neglect; our goal is to provide a bit of extra joy during the holiday season. BWC needs gift cards (Walmart, Target, etc.). These youth rarely get the opportunity to buy something new and the parents (biological and foster) rarely get to buy something special for themselves. Gift cards allow these families to select what they want and what they need most. The organization is at 3490 The Alameda, Santa Clara. 408-243-0222, www. billwilsoncenter.org. Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley is a non-profit youth development organization that offers innovative and effective after school and summer enrichment programs primarily for low income, at-risk Santa Clara County youth ages 6-18 years. The organization serves approximately 3,000 regular members at nine Clubhouse locations in San Jose and Morgan Hill. We are seeking chalk and oil pastels, colored construction paper, glue sticks, Crayola markers and crayons, water color sets, board games including Battleship, Boggle, chess and checker boards, Clue, Connect 4, Mancala, playing cards, Scattergories, Trouble and Yahtzee Popomatic. Also needed are gift cards for teens (Target, Safeway, Starbucks) and both scientific and standard calculators. Monetary donations for school uniforms and computers are greatly needed and appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, 518 Valley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Volunteers are also always needed to assist at the Clubhouses. For more information, please contact Alethia Ruiz at alethia@bgclub.org. Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County serves more than 40,000 children, families, and individuals of all cultures and beliefs through 40 programs at more than 80 sites. Needed items: toys/games (ages 5-15) for families struggling to get by; winter jackets/sweaters for boys and girls (ages 5-15); warm blankets for isolated seniors; housewares for previously homeless families; bus passes for youth and adults; babies’ and children’s items, such as diapers; toiletries; and household goods. Items should be new or gently used. Catholic Charities is located at 2625 Zanker Road, San Jose. To donate, contact 408-325-5125 or email info@ catholiccharitiesscc.org. Go to www.catholiccharitiesscc.org.
Cityteam is preparing to provide real help and hope to thousands of people this holiday season. You can make a difference in the lives of men, women, and children struggling with homelessness, hunger, and poverty by providing frozen turkeys and canned nonperishable food items. Donations can be dropped off 9am-4pm Tuesdays-Saturdays at Cityteam’s Community Services Program, 1297 North 13th St., San Jose. Learn more about how you can donate, volunteer, or host a drive at www.cityteam.org or by calling 408-232-5600. Portuguese Organization for Social Services and Opportunities is seeking donations of toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, and paper towels) socks, gloves and toys for the needy. Donations can be dropped off at the offices 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. The center is located at 1115 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose. 408-293-0877. Monetary donations are most welcome and appreciated. Go to www.portuguesecenter.org.