Holiday Helpings is a list of organizations that sponsor programs for the those less fortunate, inviting others to donate goods, services or money; it will run through Dec. 23.
BRADLEY MEMORIAL TOY DRIVE: This toy drive is in its fourth year and has grown from an idea into a wide-reaching toy drive for many hospitalized children during the holiday season. Last year the drive grew from about 350 toys collected to just under 2,000. This year the goal is to deliver toys to 5,000 children by Christmas Day. This year the event kicks off with a community event, the Kids Holiday Bash at Dutcher Middle School,1441 Colorado Ave., Turlock, to spread the word about the toy drive. The event is geared for children and their families to bring awareness to children who are hospitalized for various reasons during the holiday season. (209) 969-1482.
"YES WE CAN" FOOD DRIVE: The Democratic Women's Club of Stanislaus County is sponsoring its fifth annual "Yes We Can" Food Drive in Stanislaus County, gathering nonperishables for distribution to food banks and community food drives. Through Dec. 24, contributions may be dropped off at the Queen Bean Coffee House, 1126 14th St., Modesto. To contribute online, go to https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/fooddrive. To learn more, call Patty Hughes at (209) 303-4042 or e-mail demwomensclub@gmail.com.
CANS 4 CARE: The Modesto Junior College EOP&S Cooperative Agency Resources for Education Program will hold its second annual CANS 4 CARE Program. The program collects canned food items to five local charities each year during the holiday season: Modesto Gospel Mission, Stanislaus County Children's Crisis Center, Modesto Veterans Affairs, Haven Women's Center and the Society for Handicapped Children and Adults. Last year the goal was to collect 5,000 canned food items. The students of the CARE Program collected 6,428 cans. This year the goal is to collect 10,000 cans. To date the students of the program have collected 7,000 cans. They need 3,000 more by the last day of the drive, Nov. 30. On Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the MJC East Campus quad, the students of the CARE Program will be collecting cans in a last effort to reach their goal. The CARE Program is a program that serves single, low-income mothers.
TOYS FOR TOTS: A Toys for Tots drop-off collection box has been set up at Rep. Jeff Denham's Modesto District Office, 3509 Coffee Road, Suite D3. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be accepted during regular business hours, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Collected toys for the Toys for Tots will be distributed to children within the local community. For more information, call the office at (209) 579-5458.
HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE: The Salvation Army, Modesto Citadel will be accepting applications for Christmas holiday assistance beginning Monday and ending Dec. 12, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays only. Low-income families residing in Modesto, Ceres, Salida or Empire may apply at 625 I St., Modesto.
For additional information, call The Salvation Army Social Services department at (209) 523-7577.
TOY DRIVE: Toys bring smiles and happiness to kids. The Salvation Army's annual Holiday Toy Drive needs your help. The goal is to help 3,500 kids. The need is 6,000 new, unwrapped toys for children between the ages of newborn and 12 years. It's easy and fun to help.
• Grab a big box and decorate it. Place a Salvation Army flier on the box. Display the box at work, at a club or a church group meeting.
• Drop off a toy at a participating business. Call The Salvation Army for locations.
• Host a new, unwrapped toy drive at your place of employment. Let your co-workers and customers know with flyers or e-mails. Your co-workers and customers will feel the warmth of the Christmas spirit by helping children.
• If your civic group or club is having a holiday gathering, ask members to bring toys for The Salvation Army Toy Drive. Have fun and feel great about sharing Christmas joy with a child.
To participate or for more information, contact Maj. Beth Paugh at (209) 522-3209 or at beth.paugh@usw.salvationarmy.org.
FOOD DRIVE: Lathrop Police Services and Lathrop-Manteca Fire District are having a food drive Dec. 1 for Second Harvest Food Bank. The mission is to gather 600 pounds of canned food. The drive will be in the Save-Mart Foods parking lot, 15240 S. Harlan Road in Lathrop, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call deputy Matt Lindemann at (209) 858-5551 or e-mail mlindemann@sjgov.org.
RECOVERY HOME HELP: Life House Recovery Home in Newman, a facility for women, seeks donations of cash, gift cards, a working vehicle, bus passes, toiletries, linens and more. To donate, contact Melissa at (209) 947-5062 or e-mail her at americanmcc@gmail.com. For more, visit www.facebook.com/ newmanlifehouserecoveryhome or http://newmanlifehouserecoveryhome.weebly.com.
CANNED FOOD DRIVE: Golden 1 Credit Union branches in Modesto and Turlock will have bins available through the end of November to collect community donations of nonperishable food items and other necessities, such as diapers and baby formula, for families in need. Donations benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. Branches are at 2001 McHenry Ave. in Modesto and at 2450 Geer Road in Turlock.
FOR TOTS AND TROOPS: Through Dec. 22 Stor-Kwik Self Storage sites in Riverbank, Ceres, Escalon and Sonora are donation drop-off locations for Toys for Tots and Soldiers' Angels. Donors can drop off new toys, or care package items for troops. To learn more, call (209) 869-6730.
If your organization is sponsoring a program, send us your requests. Submissions should include:
• Organization and program name
• Date and time when program takes place
• Items needed (if taking monetary donations, note to whom checks should be made payable)
• Drop-off location and/or mailing address
• Deadline for donations
• Contact name and phone number
E-mail information to jfarrow@modbee.com with "Holiday Helping" in the subject field, or fax to (209) 578-2207, Attn: Deke Farrow.
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