As the books close on this year's A Book of Dreams, Bee readers have contributed a little more than $53,000, which will be distributed to 15 needy charities in the area.

Book of Dreams contributor list

After a bit of a sluggish start, donations to The Bee's A Book of Dreams gathered steam in a big way over the past week. The annual fund-raising effort has received $22,500, roughly half of that in the past week alone.

Donations ranging from $10 to $1,000 have come in for The Bee's A Book of Dreams fund-raiser. So far, the effort has brought in a little more than $11,400. That's about $6,000 short of where we stood at this point last year.

Advancing Vibrant Communities of Modesto connects volunteers with opportunities to serve the needs of their neighbors and community.

American Red Cross Capital Region Chapter in Modesto responds to emergencies and provides preparedness training, military support services, CPR/first-aid training, first-aid teams and community outreach and education.

Catholic Charities, which has an office in Modesto, provides a variety of social services for the frail elderly, emergency food for families, access to health insurance for children and much more.

Family Promise of Greater Modesto is an interfaith ministry of 13 congregations in the Modesto area that provides temporary shelter and support for finding permanent affordable housing and other family support services to low income families with children.

In these difficult times, the Family Support Network of Oak Valley Hospital still assists local families in need. In order to continue our much-needed efforts, we need help.

Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus is a catalyst for individual empowerment and societal change. Among many things, the Modesto-based Haven promotes safety and healing for women and children impacted by domestic or sexual violence.

Hutton House is a state licensed temporary shelter for runaway, homeless and youth in crisis who are ages 13-17. It provides services in a residential setting for eight youth at a time for a maximum of 15 days. Day services are available for youth and their families. Crisis line is available 24 hours a day.

Inter-Faith Ministries of Greater Modesto works as a caring and sharing group of faith-based congregations, organizations and individuals to help those in the greater Modesto area who are in need of food, clothing and other humanitarian services.

The Modesto Gospel Mission has provided nutritious meals, warm beds, and a place of safety for thousands of poor and homeless men, women, boys and girls. The Mission's staff remain committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and meeting the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of every man, woman, boy and girl who comes to the Mission for help and hope.

The Parent Resource Center, a Family Resource Center based in Modesto, is a private, non-profit, child abuse prevention agency. Among other things, the center offers support to parents through in-home volunteer mentoring and on-site parenting education classes to decrease the risk of child abuse, neglect and family violence.

Pathways is a transitional living and supportive services program for young adults ages 18-22 years. The Modesto-based program serves homeless, and many of the participants are former foster care youth who have limited financial and emotional support.

The Salvation Army of Modesto provides year-round shelter for the homeless — capacity of 100 individuals (men and women) during winter months, serving 30 individuals during the summer and spring months.

The Salvation Army of Turlock provides after-school program with homework assistance and tutoring, a game room and a gymnasium. For the Christmas giveaway with Turlock Together, which we are a part of, we have a great need for toys and warm clothing for children 12 years old and younger.

Turlock Gospel Mission helps individuals through the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to meet basic human needs; to serve all homeless and hungry people who come to our door by offering food, shelter, compassion, educational, residential and employment services as well as other supportive services and referrals to outside services to assist their renewal to a full and independent life.

United Samaritans Foundation's mission is to deliver food to people in need in Stanislaus County, and to facilitate the provision of services to assist them in a transition to a better quality of life.