Helping the Needy at Christmas
Hundreds of organizations will be distributing toys, clothes and food to the needy in Los Angeles County during the holidays. Here are some of the organizations:
St. Vibiana’s Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles is sponsoring “Adopt-a-Family” for the holidays, reaching out to thousands of Skid Row families. Clothing, toys and two weeks’ worth of food will be delivered to families the Saturday before Christmas. For information, call (213) 624-3641.
The Crenshaw branches of Great Western Bank and American Savings Bank will be collecting toys for the Sickle Cell Disease Research Foundation. Toys can be dropped off at Great Western Bank, 4401 Crenshaw Blvd.; American Savings Bank, 3775 Santa Rosalia Drive, and the Sickle Cell Disease Research Foundation, 4401 Crenshaw Blvd., Suite 208. Call (213) 299-3600.
The Brothers of Charity organization is collecting new socks and T-shirts (adult sizes) and other types of clothing for its Nuestro Hogar drop-in center for homeless males under age 21. The center is at 1519 Cambria St., Los Angeles, west of the Harbor Freeway and one block south of 7th and Union streets. Call (213) 413-8120.
Covenant House California, a shelter that serves more than 28,000 young runaways a year, is collecting new underwear for boys and girls, as well as tooth brushes, shampoo, blankets, warm jackets and toys. Call (213) 461-3131.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank supplies more than 600 agencies that feed more than 250,000 people a week. Anyone wishing to donate food items will be referred to a local agency by calling (213) 234-3030.
The Salvation Army is sponsoring a program that allows a donor to give a personalized gift. Names of 15,000 needy children from the Los Angeles area can be selected by choosing an angel from an “Angel Tree” with the name of the recipient, his or her age, clothing size and other information. The trees are at the Glendale Galleria, Cerritos Mall, Del Amo Mall in Torrance, Fox Hills Mall in Culver City, Sherman Oaks Galleria, Media Center Mall in Burbank and Promenade Mall in Woodland Hills. For more information, call (213) 627-5571.
The Fred Jordan Mission of Los Angeles will have its annual holiday party on Dec. 19 for more than 25,000 homeless people. Toys, blankets and food are needed. For more information, call (818) 915-1988.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will be collecting toys (except guns or knives) for the Children’s Hospital, Para Los Ninos, Union Rescue Mission and other organizations. Donations can be dropped off at any sheriff’s station before Dec. 11.
The Pasadena chapter of Toys for Tots will officially begin its drive Friday at 10 a.m. with a “road test” of the city of St. Louis Rose Parade float. U.S. Marine Corps representatives will be on hand to collect the toys at the Rosemont Pavilion, 700 Seco St., Pasadena.
California Highway Patrol officers and civilians will hold the annual CHP’s for Kids Toy Drive Dec. 12-20 at the Montebello Town Center, the Puente Hills Mall in the City of Industry and Century City Plaza in Century City. For more information, call the CHJP public affairs unit at (818) 240-8200.
Goodwill Industries of Southern California needs used but usable household goods for its job-training programs. People with disabilities and other barriers to employment recycle the items, preparing them for resale in Goodwill stores. Proceeds pay for rehabilitation and placement services for employees and their wages. To schedule a home pickup of clothing, toys or small appliances, or for the address of donation stations, call (213) 222-5131.
The Union Station Foundation is sponsoring “Dinner in the Park” on Christmas Day for the homeless in the Pasadena area. Groups or individuals are asked to bring prepared food in disposable containers to Central Park at Fair Oaks and Del Mar boulevards by 11 a.m. Volunteers are needed to entertain children, serve food and clean up. For information call (818) 449-4596.