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, Gainesville, FL Holiday Traditions of Giving
IT’S THAT TIME of year again – time for being with those you most love, Christmas carols, parades, and gift giving. So what do you get for the person who has nothing? With the seemingly never-ending lines in stores and overcrowded parking lots, the following provides ways that you can donate little or no time, money, and effort to create an immeasurable difference in the lives of others.
The Volunteer Center of Alachua County will continue its annual Hope for the Holidays drive. Hope for the Holidays consists of collecting new toys, teen products, personal items, household goods, and non-perishable food to distribute to deserving individuals in need. To help, just bring any of the requested items to the main pavilion at the fairgrounds from 12pm – 7pm on December 13th -15th. For information, contact Glenda at 378-2552.
In keeping with the season of caring and sharing, the Salvation Army is back on the scene to contribute with millions of dollars donated each year to aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless. One fun way to get involved is with their Pick An Angel program. Pick An Angel from an Angel Tree, located at the Oaks Mall and both Wal- Marts. Then buy the item requested and return the gift to the participating store or Salvation Army. You can also contribute to their Gift Baskets by bringing unwrapped NEW children’s toys, shoes, clothing, food or cash donations to Salvation Army by Friday, December 17. The Christmas Day meal will be served at 4 p.m. Salvation Army is located at 639 East University Avenue. Contact Terri Bishop at 376-1743 Ext. 310 for further information.
Gainesville Community Ministries distributes Food Baskets to families and individuals in need who would not be able to afford a meal for the holidays. Each year more requests are received for food during the holidays, but the need cannot be met without your help. You can help by bringing cash, non-perishable food and gift certificates to Gainesville Community Ministry by Wednesday, December 1. Gainesville Community Ministry is located at 238 SW 4th Ave. Contact Jean at 372-8162.
Catholic Charities agencies strengthen their communities by empowering the people within them. They help families and individuals overcome tragedy, poverty, and other life challenges. Volunteers are needed for the Adopt-A-Family Program. Please bring food, cash and gift certificates to Catholic Charities, located at 1717 NE 9 Street, by Thursday, December 16. For more information on the program or about the organization, please contact Bonnie at 372-0294.
St. Francis House is a homeless shelter and soup kitchen that provides a variety of basic needs such as food, shelter, hygiene services, and case management assistance to the homeless and hungry in Alachua County. Annually, an estimated number of 39,936 individuals are served through St. Francis House’s soup kitchen. The Christmas Day meal will be served from 11AM – 1PM. Volunteers are needed to cook, set up, serve and clean up. St. Francis House is located at 413 S. Main Street. To participate in this wonderful opportunity, contact Kent Van at 378-9079.
Peaceful Paths (formerly known as SPARC) is a domestic abuse network that serves survivors of domestic violence in Alachua, Bradford, Putnam, and Union counties. The organization provides a wide range of services including emergency shelter, transitional housing, crisis hotline, victim advocacy, children's programming, education and training, counseling and support groups, community awareness and intervention, medical response services, and batterer's intervention programming. Peaceful Paths is requesting Holiday Help. Donations of non-perishable food, NEW toys, NEW clothing of any size, NEW household goods, and NEW personal items are accepted at the Peaceful Paths Office until Friday, December 17. Peaceful Paths is located at 1029 SW 23 Avenue. Contact Brandy at the Office number 377-5690. The number for the Help Line is 377-1083.
Arbor House and Mom’s Place is a private, non-denominational, non-profit maternity shelter, funded solely by contributions from churches and individuals. Donations of time and money are always welcome. Their Home for the Holidays program provides necessities for the shelter guests and their children. They are in need of 2005 planners, college school supplies, new backpacks, toys and clothing for residential children (Girls – 7 yr. old, infant and toddler; Boys – 2- 5 yrs. old), new maternity clothes (medium and large), laundry soap, paper goods, and non-perishable foods. Please drop off no later than December 17. Contact Gwen Gadaire at 371-2229.
The Guardian Foundation, Inc. , on behalf of the Guardian ad Litem Program, is looking for angels to Sponsor a Child for the holidays and other needs. There are over 800 children in the court system in this circuit who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. Many of these children will not receive gifts or participate in special events without help from businesses, churches, organizations, and individuals who are willing to sponsor them. The children that Guardian ad Litem represents are newborn to 18 years old. To sponsor a child, send gift cards (with amount indicated) or cash donations payable to the Guardian Foundation, Inc., Eighth Judicial Circuit, 105 SE 1st Avenue, Suite 7, Gainesville, FL 32601 by Friday, December 3rd. For more information about sponsoring a child for the holidays and beyond, contact Laura at 374-3656.
The Marine Corps League Gator Detachment is conducting its annual Toys for Tots Drive. In 2003, they collected almost 6,000 toys and provided presents to nearly 3,000 children in our region. Toys for children under 13 may be dropped throughout the Alachua County area at places such as Wal-Mart stores, Eckerd Drugs, Publix stores, Compass Banks through Friday, December 19. Toys are to be distributed through agencies and at parties held at the VFW and other sites around the area. Most party guests are referred through agencies. Contact Cary Hill, Toys for Tots Chairman, at 495-2710.
Many people already incorporate giving, to those in need, into their holiday traditions. Choosing to help others in any way or with the above organizations can be a heartwarming experience. G
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