Opportunities to Help Others This Season

Drive-By Agony helps victims of violence and runs the Youth Life Learning Center. Needs shoes, uniforms, clothing, toys and food for children. 3798 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lynwood, CA 90262; (310) 537-8018.

* El Monte Youth Development Center provides community services, such as family support groups, education, and latchkey and domestic violence programs. Any assistance is appreciated, including toys, food and clothing for youths. 3800 Penn Mar Ave., El Monte, CA 91732; (626) 350-4029.

* El Nido Family Centers provides counseling, family services and education programs, and needs new, unwrapped toys and books for children of all ages (infants to 16) as well as gift certificates for movie theaters, fast food or music stores for older children. 500 Shatto Place, Los Angeles, CA 90020; (213) 384-1600.

* Enki Health & Research Systems--East Los Angeles Mental Health Services, a community mental health center for low- or no-income clients, needs Christmas trees, turkeys, hams and pies, toys, poinsettias and flower arrangements, small kitchen appliances, and gift certificates for grocery stores for a holiday party for patients. 1436 Goodrich Blvd., Commerce, CA 90022; (323) 725-1337.

* Exceptional Children’s Foundation provides education and therapy for underprivileged babies and toddlers with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, speech delays and prenatal drug exposure. Clothing, toys and books for children from birth to 3 years old, diapers and infant formula, canned and dry food, holiday food baskets, and gift certificates to grocery or toy stores are needed. 3750 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008; (323) 298-8263.

* Family Counseling Services needs food items for about 50 holiday gift baskets so families can prepare Christmas meals. Also, toys for kids, token gifts for women and men. Big wish--a van to transport clients to sober activities and doctor appointments. 314 E. Mission Road, San Gabriel, CA 91776; (626) 285-2139.

* Families Forward offers housing, counseling and education to families in Orange County. Needs gift certificates to department stores, Target, grocery stores, gas stations and movie theaters. P.O. Box 53093, Irvine, CA 92619; (949) 552-2727.

* Five Acres--The Boys’ and Girls’ Aid Society of Los Angeles needs sports equipment, ball caps and jerseys, toys and games, electronics such as cameras, dolls, food baskets with nonperishables or grocery gift certificates, and gift certificates for fast food and music stores. 760 W. Mountain St., Altadena, CA 91001; (626) 798-6793, Ext. 244.

* Florence Crittendon Center needs items for girls ages 12 to 18, such as pajamas and bathrobes in all sizes. For infants and toddlers: clothes, car seats, books and toys. 234 E. Avenue 33, Los Angeles, CA 90031; (323) 225-4211.

* Foundation for the Junior Blind needs packaged toys that are interactive and sensory-stimulating for newborns up to age 16. The Adopt-a-Family program needs nonperishable food, new clothing and toys. 5300 Angeles Vista Blvd., L.A., CA 90043; (323) 295-4555.

* For the Child works for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and needs new, unwrapped toys for children 6 months to 18 years old: stuffed animals, Pokemon toys, books, games, dolls, doll clothes, cars, puppets, baseballs, basketballs, soccer balls, arts and crafts materials, and gift certificates for fast food as well as grocery and department stores. 4565 California Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807; (562) 422-8472.

* Friends of Pets rescues and places dogs, and needs bleach, Ajax cleanser, dishwashing and laundry soaps, paper towels, blankets, bath towels, puppy toys, unbleached rawhide bones, and lamb and rice dog food. 11117 Fleetwood St., Sun Valley, CA 91352; (818) 767-5919.

* Friends of the Family, a community mental-health and family support center, needs clothes, grocery and discount store gift certificates for adults. For children, new clothes, books, coloring books, crayons. For literacy programs, bookstore gift certificates in small to moderate denominations. 15350 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91406; (818) 988-4430.

* Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service needs food and toys for children younger than 15 from low-income families referred by schools. 611 S. Ford Ave., Fullerton, CA 92834; (714) 871-3032.

* Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women needs for women: twin beds and bedding, clothing, toiletries and towels, cosmetic and sewing kits, laundry detergent, mops, self-teaching computer programs. For children up to age 12: clothes, books, videos, educational materials. 1650 Rockwood St., L.A., CA 90026; (213) 482-1834.

* Goodwill Industries of Southern California needs clothing and small appliances. Call (888) 4-GOODWILL for donation locations; 342 N. San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA 90031; (323) 223-1211.

* Habitat for Humanity--Los Angeles, which builds homes for low-income families, needs gift certificates from Home Depot made out to Habitat for Humanity-Los Angeles. 1138 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017; (213) 975-9757.

* Hand to Hand serves bag lunches at the steps of Santa Monica City Hall. Needs nail clippers, toiletries including razors, toothpaste and toothbrushes, adult-size socks, rain gear, blankets, sweaters and sweatshirts, pants and jackets. 5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City, CA 90230; (310) 397-1604.

* Happy Hats volunteers at Roxbury Park in Beverly Hills provide hand-decorated caps and hand-knitted hats for children with serious illnesses such as cancer or leukemia. Needs new baseball caps, especially for kids 7 and younger. (310) 201-0255.

* Harbor Regional Center provides services to people with developmental disabilities. Food, clothing, shoes, toys for children, furniture, appliances, books. To coordinate delivery, call (310) 543-0686. 21231 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505; (310) 540-1711.

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