Making a Difference in Your Community : Groups Aiding Needy Have Own Wish Lists

In this season of brightly lit streets, crowded shops and children who wait for the round, bearded one to come down their chimneys, some Christmas wish lists remain shockingly simple.

If the wishes come true, children’s stockings won’t be empty, families will have enough food on their tables, and the elderly or ill won’t have to spend another holiday alone and lonely.

But it’s a long list, say workers for organizations that help the needy.

The economy is still taking its toll on the Christmas spirit. More people need help and fewer people are in a position to give it.

The Glendale Salvation Army Corps will give dinners and gift baskets to more than 900 families this year, up from 630 last year, said Paul Bandy, social services director.

“Donations are running below last year,” Bandy said. “We’re a little concerned.”

The Salvation Army needs toys for children 12 and younger, boxed and canned foods, clothing and money.

For more information on donations, call (818) 246-5586.

The Salvation Army is one of many organizations wishing for gifts of time or money. For information on helping these or other groups, call the numbers listed, or call the Volunteer Center of San Fernando Valley at (818) 908-5066.

For 2,200 people cut off from family and friends by age, mental or physical disability, a holiday visit even from a stranger is enough to lift their spirits, said Joan Vitale, volunteer program coordinator for the County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health.

The department is asking for volunteers to visit its clients over the holidays. Some of the health department’s wards have no visitors except medical professionals who check on them and a visit from a volunteer would cheer many during the holidays.

“They would think, ‘Here’s someone who doesn’t have to be here. Here’s someone here because they want to be,’ ” Vitale said.

Volunteers can request visiting assignments in most areas of the county, but they must make a one-time trip to the downtown office to sign up, pick up gifts and addresses, by Thursday. For more information on the holiday project and to find out about free parking near the downtown office, call Joan or Chris at (213) 974-0400 (213) 974-0543.

Walden Environment--Foster Family Agency needs volunteers to help with a holiday party Wednesday. Up to 250 children and their foster families will come to the reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Volunteers are needed to bring baked goods, hand out name tags, supervise and help with cleanup. Call Tanya at (818) 365-3665.

Glendale Head Start Family Service Center needs volunteers to help with a Christmas party Friday for more than 200 low-income families, said Kelly Donaldson, client service coordinator. The center also needs donations of fresh fruit, canned food, Christmas stockings, toys, clothing, wrapping paper and trees. Call Donaldson at (818) 552-2046.

San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic in Northridge needs food and toys for its low-income clients in the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita. The nonprofit clinic, which counsels abused children, also needs volunteers to put together gift baskets at 10 a.m. Dec. 21. For more information, call Jo Devine, board administrator, at (818) 993-9311.

The Samuel Dixon Family Health Center in Val Verde, which serves low-income families, needs wrapped gifts for children by Dec. 21. The clinic also needs volunteers to address greeting cards to donors and sponsors. For more information, call Executive Director Peggy Freeman at (805) 257-4008.

Telfair PTA Health Center in Pacoima is seeking donations for children from low-income families who use the center. The center is putting together holiday baskets and can use gifts, food, clothing and “just about anything,” said Andy Cervantes, who coordinates holiday activities. The center also needs volunteers to help sort donations and put together gift packages before Friday. For more information, call Cervantes at (818) 899-6113.