Santa’s Helpers

To make the holidays merrier for the needy, a number of Orange County agencies and private groups are collecting toys, food and cash. Here are some organizations still seeking contributions and volunteers:

* Buena Park Coordinating Council, 6840 Orangethorpe Ave., Unit A. Seeking toys and food to be delivered to needy families Dec. 23. Information: (714) 521-3772.

* California Highway Patrol. Collecting new, unwrapped toys for the annual CHiPs for Kids program for needy children in Orange in Los Angeles counties. Drop-off points: Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park by Dec. 24; CHP offices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Friday. Information: (714) 892-4426.

* Costa Mesa Police and City Employee Assn. Collecting toys for needy children. Donation deadline: Monday. Drop-off point: Police Department, 99 Fair Drive or the West Side Substation, 567 W. 18th St. Information: (714) 722-6714.

* Ecumenical Service Alliance, 800 S. Lemon St., Anaheim. Collecting holiday food baskets for needy families. Information: (714) 776-7510.

* Fountain Valley Library. Sponsoring Operation Santa Claus Tree to buy gifts for needy children and seniors. Donation deadline: Wednesday. Information: (714) 962-1324.

* Fullerton Community Services Department. Seeking gifts for underprivileged children. Donation deadline: Friday. Information: (714) 738-3125.

* Hannah’s Children’s Homes and Foster Finding Agency. Sponsoring a Christmas toy drive for abused and neglected children. Donation deadline: Dec. 23. Information: (714) 282-0354.

* Huntington Beach Post Office. Accepting toys, usable clean clothing and canned food from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Dec. 31 for needy families. Drop-off points: Post office lobbies at 6771 Warner Ave., 9151 Atlanta Ave., 813 Olive St. Information: (714) 536-2563.

* Irvine Temporary Housing, 15029 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine. Accepting gifts, gift certificates and toys for its Adopt-A-Family program. Donation deadline: Monday. Information: (714) 552-2727.

* La Palma Chamber of Commerce, La Palma Kiwanis Club, La Palma Lions Club, La Palma Christian Center and Cerritos Baptist Church. Seeking nonperishable foods and unwrapped toys for needy families. Donation deadline: Wednesday. Drop-off points: Firestone Tire Store, Orangethorpe Avenue and Valley View Street, La Palma; and Landmark Bank, La Palma Avenue and Moody Street, La Palma. Information: (714) 228-2218.

* National Bank of Southern California, South County Regional Office. Collecting food for needy families. Donation deadline: Thursday. Drop-off point: 22831 Lake Forest Drive, Lake Forest. Also seeking toys for children in foster homes. Donation deadline: Thursday. Information: (714) 859-2265.

* Operation Santa Claus. Seeking toys for needy children across the county. Information: (714) 778-3383.

* Salvation Army. Accepting nonperishable food, toys and cash donations. Sponsoring Angel Trees at Mervyn’s and Target stores, where shoppers can buy gifts on behalf of youngsters. Seeking volunteers to provide Christmas dinner for a needy family. Information: (714) 832-7100.

* SOS (Share Our Selves), Costa Mesa. Seeking gifts, turkeys and other food items for people of all ages for its Adopt-A-Family holiday program. Donation deadline: Wednesday. Drop-off points: 1550 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa; St. John the Baptist Church hall, 1015 Baker St., Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 549-2001.

* SPIN (Serving People in Need), Newport Beach. Collecting canned food, toys and clothing for needy families. Donation deadline: Wednesday. Information: (714) 757-1456.

* Toys for Tots. Seeking 80,000 more toys for needy children. Drop-off point: fire stations, Shell and Mobile gas stations, Marine Corps facilities in El Toro and Tustin. Information: (714) 726-6746.

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There organizations are seeking volunteers to prepare food and other gifts:

* Ecumenical Service Alliance. Will sort and package food baskets through Thursday at 800 S. Lemon St., Anaheim. Information: (714) 776-7510.

* Royal Vikings of Orange County. Will pack food baskets for needy families on Sunday, 8 a.m., in the parking lot of the Ritz Restaurant, 880 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

* Salvation Army. Will pack, sort and distribute food and gift items daily through Dec. 22. at 1133 N. Homer St., Anaheim. Information: (714) 772-7535.

Source: Individual organizations

Researched by DEBRA CANO / For The Times