Assistance Groups’ Holiday Wish Lists

Lincoln Training Center in South El Monte, which provides work skills training and employment placement for people with developmental disabilities, would appreciate stocking stuffers for its holiday party, such as combs, brushes, shampoo, cologne, music tapes, candy, socks, slippers, pocket radios, tape players, large and extra large T-shirts, gloves, wallets, art sets, and gift certificates to restaurants, movie theaters or grocery stores. Information: David Dunham, (626) 442-0621.

* Patterns Residential Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center for Women and Children in Hawthorne wishes people would adopt a family for the holidays; or donate cash, toys, women’s and children’s clothing, a Christmas tree, crayons, construction paper, disposable diapers, holiday decorations, furniture, highchairs, car seats, cribs, wall hangings and pictures, videos, child protective gates, pillows, twin bedspreads and sheets, school supplies, bath towels and toiletries. Information: (310) 675-4431.

* Homeless Health Care Los Angeles is joining with Heartfelt Foundation and SRO Housing to throw a children’s Christmas party Dec. 19 for the hundreds of children and their families living on Skid Row. They need: food and refreshments for 1,500, 500 adult T-shirts or sweatshirts, Polaroid film (for pictures of kids with Santa Claus), toys, gift bags or wrapping paper, volunteers to help wrap gifts, and volunteers for the party. Information: Lenor de Cruz, (213) 741-0325.

* St. Francis Medical Center, which serves Lynwood, Compton, South Gate, Downey and Huntington Park, needs many toys and gifts to distribute to children from birth to 17. The wish list includes: books, blankets, pajamas, rattles, teething toys, teddy bears, dolls, balls, blocks, stacking toys, pull toys, doll clothes, stuffed animals, dollhouses and furniture, crayons, clothes, toy cars, action figures, plastic animals, sports games, toy kitchen sets, Polly Pockets and Barbies, puzzles, backpacks, coloring books, board games, bracelets, watches, wallets, purses, mirrors, jewelry and jewelry boxes, diaries, school supplies, basketballs, footballs, Walkmans and cassette players, makeup and toiletry sets, clock radios, flashlights, and gift certificates for food music and movies. Information: Sylvia Gardner, (310) 603-6350.

* Assorted gifts or educational items would help brighten the holiday season for the children of ERAS (Educational Resources and Services Center) in Culver City, which serves developmentally and emotionally disabled children, many the victims of poverty, abuse and medical problems. Information: Elesha Simons, (310) 838-1200.

* All year long, the Create-a-Smile Animal Assisted Therapy Team in Santa Monica brings joy to seniors, battered women, abused children and others through pet visits. On its holiday wish list are: children’s books about pets, stuffed animals, stickers, office space, a van or truck, signage and banners, a copier machine, cellular phones, fax and printer cartridges, office furniture, folding chairs and tables, building materials, Polaroid film and cameras, a microwave, a color printer for a PC, a TV, a VCR and a camcorder and stand, recycled paper, printing services, vet and grooming services, volunteers, sponsorships, and cash donations. Information: (310) 392-6257.

* Exceptional Children’s Foundation, which help babies at risk for developmental disabilities, is asking for the following items for babies and toddlers: clothing and new toys for infants to 3-year-olds, books and music tapes, canned and dry goods, grocery store gift certificates, holiday food baskets, volunteers to adopt a needy family for the holidays, and volunteers to help make food baskets and wrap presents. Information: (323) 298-8263.

* A van, sports and recreation equipment, indoor games and puzzles, and arts and crafts supplies are on the holiday wish list of the Center for Visionary Education, a South-Central Los Angeles group that runs gang prevention and intervention programs. Information: Chetera Watson, (323) 735-4012.

* Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, which offers food, clothing and rental, utility and transportation assistance to people of all ages, races and religions, in addition to running shelters and job training programs, has a lengthy holiday wish list. Some suggestions: blankets, bookcases, candy, CD players, clothing, computers, copier, diapers, fax machine, food baskets, footballs, games for senior citizens, jackets, large-screen TV, microwave oven, movie tickets, pillows, pingpong tables, refrigerator, sheets, shoes and socks for men, women and children, toothbrushes, towels, toys, turkeys, underwear, and volunteers. Information: (213) 251-3433.

* For the women and children of Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women in Los Angeles, the following items are requested: twin mattresses, bedding and beds, clothing, umbrellas, towels, washcloths, toiletries, cosmetic kits, sewing kits, fanny packs, laundry detergent, mops, gloves, books, video games, children’s videos, balls, board games, toys and stuffed animals. Information: (213) 482-1834.

* The Southern California division of the Salvation Army wishes for toys, nonperishable food, gifts for the elderly, and volunteers to serve meals. Information: (213) 553-3257.

* Alexandria House, a transitional residence and neighborhood center for women and children in need in Los Angeles, wishes for toys for its Dec. 19 holiday party. Information: (213) 381-2649.

* St. Albert the Great Church Christian Service, which provides food to the needy in Compton, is asking for help in providing clothing and toys for children this holiday season. Information: Catherine Solomon, (310) 604-8381.

* St. Joseph Center in Venice is asking for 1,500 hot dogs and buns, unwrapped toys, blankets, rain ponchos, baby food, diapers, canned food, dried milk, a small pickup truck, playground matting, a camcorder, a VCR and tripod, a computer, and a printer. The center helps 12,000 low-income and homeless people each year. Information: (310) 399-2352.

* Blankets, nonperishable food, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, bottled body wash, combs and brushes, socks, sweaters, and jeans are some of the items on Youth Link of America’s holiday wish list for homeless teenagers. Information: (213) 483-0997.

* Pediatric Therapy Network in Torrance, which provides physical, occupational and speech therapy for underprivileged children, many of whom were drug-exposed, have Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or learning disabilities, is asking for the following donations: computers and printers, copier and scanner, file cabinets, new or used moon bounce, large trampoline, gift certificates from Toys R Us, Lakeshore, or other toy stores or teacher supply stores, a volunteer carpenter to build stairs and nesting benches, Little Tyke climbing structures, bubble ball pit, paper, paints, scissors, markers and other arts and crafts supples, new or used computer software for children, large inner tubes, balls, baseball bats and mitts, T-ball stand, soccer goals, large parachute, hockey sticks, and Hula Hoops. Information: (310) 328-0276.

* Penny Lane Foster Family Agency in North Hills is requesting toys and gift certificates to give the children at its December Christmas party. Information: (818) 894-3384.

* Help fill the Holiday Cheer Baskets for South Bay Senior Services of Torrance so they can provide food and gifts to low-income, homebound seniors. Suggestions include canned vegetables and fruit, pasta and sauce, rice, beans, cereal, oatmeal, crackers, fruit and vegetable juice, peanut butter, jelly, cake, cookies, corn bread and muffin mixes, coffee, tea, cocoa, canned milk, candy, toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, toothpaste, shampoo, body lotion, soap and gift certificates. Information: (310) 325-2141.

* Share the gift of music with students by contributing new and refurbished musical instruments to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation in Sherman Oaks. Information: (818) 784-6787.

* You can help Hope-Net in its goal to eliminate hunger and homelessness in the Wilshire Center / Koreatown area by donating nonperishable food for its eight food pantries. It can also use clothing, furniture, housewares and toys to sell at its thrift store. Information: (213) 389-9949 (food donations); (310) 552-4763 (thrift store donations).

* Donate toys for needy children through the Institute Inc., which helps enrich the lives of children of all cultures. Information: (310) 216-7788.

* Meet Each Need With Dignity needs food and gifts for 1,200 families in the northeast San Fernando Valley. Some suggestions: purses, backpacks, perfume, calculators, costume jewelry, watches, hair accessories, stationery, diaries, wallets, sports equipment, baseball caps, books, art supplies, soccer balls, posters, Walkmans, radios, toys and clothing. Information: (818) 896-0246.

* The Boys & Girls Club of San Pedro is wishing for holiday gifts for 400 children ages 7 to 13. Information: (310) 833-1322.

* The Family Stress Center, which provides therapy for children and adolescents--most of whom have been sexually and physically abused--and their families, is hoping for the following items: board games, teddy bears, baby dolls, sports equipment, art supplies, toy cars, action figures and Play-Doh. Information: (818) 993-9311.

* City Hearts in Topanga, where “kids say ‘yes’ to the arts,” is asking Santa for a large chalkboard on wheels, art supplies, notebooks for students’ journals and a fax machine / scanner. Information: (310) 455-2898.

* New clothing and toys for children of all ages, shoes, diapers, baby blankets, food, space heaters, a washer and dryer, books, toiletries, umbrellas, dishes, pots and pans, and used furniture are on the holiday wish list of White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles. Information: (213) 260-5739.

* Hillsides Home for Children in Pasadena needs gifts, including pajamas; slippers; jackets; holiday apparel for teenagers; gift certificates for fast-food restaurants, movie theaters, music and book stores, Toys R Us, Target and Wal-Mart; grocery store scrip; toys; radios; and cassette and CD players. The group, which runs a home for abused, neglected and abandoned children in addition to other programs, also needs people to adopt families for the holidays. Information: (323) 254-2274.

* AIDS Project Los Angeles needs nonviolent toys for children up to age 16, as well as gift certificates from Wherehouse, Blockbuster, Kmart, Target, Toys “R” Us, Footlocker, Miller’s Outpost and department stores. Information: (323) 993-1342.

* Junior Troop 1477 of the San Fernando Valley Girl Scout Council needs new and slightly used books for preschoolers to be given to day-care centers and home day-care providers serving low-income families. Information: (818) 986-7981.

* If you can offer time, money, food or gifts, the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council needs you. The council, which is involved in numerous charities, is asking for donations of infant and children’s clothing, disposable diapers, new nonviolent toys, books, rain gear, umbrellas, mittens and gloves, refrigerators, clean plastic grocery bags (for food pantries), unused greeting cards, postage stamps, gift wrap, ribbon, tape, drivers for Meals on Wheels and transporting donated goods and money. Information: (818) 718-6460, Ext. 3611.

* Kathy’s House, a shelter for women and children in crisis, wishes for telephone calling cards, bus passes, paper goods, all kinds of soaps, vegetable seeds for the garden, a vacuum cleaner, grocery certificates, frozen meats, lunch-box food for kids, paper lunch bags, cookies, cake and pancake mixes, syrup, butter, eggs, cereal, frozen fruits and vegetables, household cleaners, two new living room couches, a TV cabinet, kitchen utensils, silverware, drinking tumblers, and gift certificates for women’s clothing and children’s toys. Information: (949) 248-8300.

* The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is asking Santa Claws for towels, blankets, a hand-held steam cleaner, nature videos, folding tables, Polaroid film, digital camera, 35-millimeter camera, 35-millimeter film, video camera, video tapes, new telephone system, laptop computer, screwdriver set, channel-lock pliers, 1930s vintage pickup truck in working order, emergency generator, Mag-Lite flashlights and batteries. Information: (626) 792-7151, Ext. 109.

* For those who want to give of themselves, Childrens Hospital in Hollywood is asking blood donors to help heal critically ill and injured children. Information: Barbara Johnson, (323) 669-2370.

* Camp Laurel Foundation, which provides year-round educational wilderness camping for children with HIV and AIDS, needs items for campers and its office: winter coats, sweaters, pants, waterproof gloves and boots, snowshoes, cross-country skis, boots, poles, towels, blankets, camper journals, medical supplies, walkie-talkies, film, arts and crafts supplies, art journals, four-person tents, backpacks, air mileage, paper shredder, Mac laser printer, Mac-proficient computer tech, printing for new brochure, copy paper, and color paper. Information: Madhu Narayan, (323) 653-5005.

* Donations of new or used books, texts and learning materials are what the USC Book Drive wishes for children in the Los Angeles area this holiday season. Information: Sarah Mast, (213) 764-1711.

* Wrapped toys or donations of money are needed by the Los Angelitos Children’s Center, which serves low-income families under the Child Development Division of the Los Angeles Unified School District. The age range is 2 to 5 years old. Information: (213) 749-6972.

* Valley Women’s Center needs new items, such as jewelry, perfume and small appliances, to be used as prizes for its holiday party Dec. 9 celebrating clients’ continued sobriety. The center provides prevention education, support counseling and referral services for women and their families at risk with alcohol and drugs. Volunteers are also needed to help in the office. Information: (818) 757-2188.

* JVS, a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization, which helps Los Angeles County residents find jobs and change careers, needs the following items: office furniture, tape recorders, computers, computer printers and office supplies. Information: (323) 761-8888.

* For the children and elderly people that the Volunteer League of the San Fernando Valley assists, new or used books, shampoo, soap, washcloths and tins of cookies would be welcome. Information: Kathie Pettit, (818) 785-4134.

* Florence Crittenton Services of Orange County, which provides care and treatment for severely abused, troubled, neglected and abandoned children placed by the court system, wishes for the following holiday gifts: gift certificates from music stores, shoe stores and book stores, clock radios, day planners, games, puzzles, jewelry, journals, cameras and film, towel sets, arts and crafts kits, backpacks and overnight bags, housewares, perfumes and bath sets, sweatshirts and T-shirts with Disney or Looney Tunes characters, Walkmans, CD players, watches, robes and slippers, makeup, stationery sets and stamps, photo albums, nightshirts, twin sheet sets, sewing kits, umbrellas, coloring books, blocks, balls, toy cars, baby and toddler toys, baby and kids’ clothes, Disney, Looney Tunes and Sesame Street toys, books, stuffed animals, layettes, pajamas, and slippers. Information: Marilyn Salzman, (714) 680-9000.

More holiday wishes will appear in this section Friday.