Thanksgiving Has Volunteers Aplenty; Christmas Aid Sought

By MARTIN MILLER

Nov. 23, 1994 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

Cyndi Brown wanted to help.

The 29-year-old accountant, who recently moved to Costa Mesa from Walnut, contacted the Volunteer Center of Greater Orange County, which refers hundreds of volunteers to more than 1,200 agencies. But like scores of others this week, Brown was told need for Thanksgiving Day volunteers already had been met.

“I was really disappointed,” Brown said. “My intent was to get out and do something, but I don’t know where to go now.”

While officials of nonprofit agencies are grateful for a bounty of Thanksgiving Day volunteers this year, they say the situation is unique to this holiday. On any other day, officials say, agencies still have a pressing need for help, particularly with Christmas on the way. Agencies across the county already are calling on the community to volunteer time and to donate food, toys and especially new items of clothing for the upcoming holiday.

“We usually do hit capacity on Thanksgiving,” said Jeff Urbaniec, a spokesman for United Way in Irvine. “A lot of people want to participate on that day for the moment. But there’s still a need with Christmas coming up.”

Officials attribute the large volunteer turnout for Thanksgiving Day to a raised social awareness fueled by a lingering recession and a traditional spirit of giving that surfaces around the holidays.

“We’ve been swamped with calls,” said Lovette Tucker, coordinator for the volunteer center. “I think people are more aware of what’s going on during Thanksgiving, so people are putting volunteering on their schedules much earlier and doing something about it.”

Debra Walters, another volunteer center spokeswoman, said it seems to her that “people get a little more sentimental at Thanksgiving. They get more heartfelt. It’s like their New Year’s resolution kicks in early.”

The Santa Ana agency has matched hundreds of volunteers with agencies in need this holiday. But some charities, not able to get the word out through the volunteer network, still need Thanksgiving Day help. For example, the Southwest Community Center in Santa Ana, which will feed an estimated 500 people a holiday meal, are seeking 30 more volunteers to shore up their crew Thursday.

“For some reason this year, it’s been a little tougher getting volunteers,” said Connie J. Jones, executive director of the 24-year-old agency. “We need help serving, cleaning up and helping to distribute donated clothing.”

Officials say it’s too early to tell whether Christmas contributions will be up or down compared to last year. United Way in Orange County has received $9.8 million so far, roughly the same amount it collected last year during the same 10-month period. But as large corporations begin to make their sizable seasonal contributions, officials are optimistic they will reach their goal of $20.2 million by the end of this January, Urbaniec said.

Salvation Army officials just launched their traditional “Red Kettle” fund-raising drive. But they anticipate the number of families requesting Christmas assistance will rise sharply, said Capt. Lee Lescano.

Last year, the Salvation Army provided Christmas food and toys to about 6,800 families locally. This year, the number could go as high as 10,000, Lescano said.

United Way officials add the recent cold spell has highlighted the crucial need for clothes for the less fortunate.

“We need the things people take for granted,” Urbaniec said. “It’s been record-breaking cold and these people are having trouble surviving because they can’t get warm.”

Irvine Temporary Housing Inc., one of the hundreds of county agencies which aids the needy during the holidays, is feeling the crunch and is asking for donations of items, especially toys.

“We really haven’t had stuff start to come in yet,” said executive director Margie Wakeham, whose organization hands out Christmas gifts to the needy. “The kids would like to have something to play with.”

Giving on Thanksgiving

Orange County’s food pantries and community centers will provide free Thanksgiving meals Thursday. Some organizations also will have live entertainment and raffles. For example, at Bluebird Park in Laguna Beach, local amateur singers will perform at the Friendship Shelter for Thanksgiving Day guests.

At La Casa Garcia of Anaheim, a mariachi group and other bands will entertain for the thousands expected for its annual feast. Last year, 10,000 people were served.

In addition to the organizations listed below, St. Vincent de Paul will be serving dinner at various places throughout the county. Call (714) 547-5566 for the nearest location.

* Casa Garcia Restaurant

531 W. Chapman Ave., Anaheim

Information: (714) 740-1108

Serving dinner: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

* Someone Cares Soup Kitchen

Rea Community Center,

661 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa

Information: (714) 646-8181

Serving dinner: 1-4 p.m.

* Rescue Mission, Orange County

1901 W. Walnut Ave., Santa Ana

Information: (714) 285-2840