Local nonprofit agencies share their needs this holiday season
The kids and Uncle Harry aren't the only ones with Christmas wish lists. Valley nonprofit agencies have needs of their own they hope generous Southern Nevadans will fulfill.
We asked a few nonprofits for their Christmas wish lists. If your favorite charity doesn't appear here, give it a call. And don't forget that charities sometimes are just like those hard-to-shop-for relatives. When all else fails, money works just fine.
NEVADA PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS YOUTH
The agency provides services to homeless children up to age 18, notes Kathleen Boutin, the organization's founder.
Among the services are a drop-in center, an emergency shelter and longer-term housing.
Boutin says donated gift cards -- particularly from Target -- and monetary contributions enable youths to buy such necessities as socks, underwear and school attire.
Around this time of year, pocket warmers, hoodies, bath towels, gloves, and hats or caps are appreciated, she adds.
Also useful are snack items and packets of hot chocolate that can be toted in a backpack, and gift certificates to restaurants such as McDonald's.
More information: www.nphy.org or call 383-1332
THE SHADE TREE SHELTER
The shelter assists women and children who have been targets of domestic violence, says Jennifer Whiting, a Shade Tree case manager.
Gift cards to Wal-Mart, Target and other retailers are welcome, Whiting says, as are donations of new women's slipper socks, women's and children's undergarments and pajamas.
In addition, "we have a lot of newborn babies here that call The Shade Tree their first home," Whiting says, creating a need for bassinets, strollers and other baby supplies.
Also welcome are jackets and coats in children's, teens' and women's sizes, boys' garments and new twin mattresses.
Art supplies such as paints, paintbrushes and canvases are handy for children's activities, Whiting notes, while teens appreciate portable CD players or Walkmans.
Everyday toiletry items -- including hand sanitizer -- are needed all year at The Shade Tree, Whiting adds.
More information: www.theshadetree.org or call 385-0072
AID FOR AIDS OF NEVADA
The agency assists people who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, says Jennifer Morss, AFAN's executive director.
Among AFAN's clients are children whose parents or guardians are living with HIV/AIDS. The agency is conducting a toy drive for clients' children.
More than 200 youngsters will need toys this year, which can be something as simple as a board game or inexpensive handheld electronic game, Morss says.
Children's coats and jackets also are needed.
Gift cards are used as Christmas gifts for older children and to purchase supplies for kids who attend AFAN's Camp Courage each June.
"One barrier we have is kids don't have bathing suits, flip-flops or towels," Morss says.
AFAN also uses painting products and art supplies in its SMOOSH program, in which patients create art, and sewing materials such as fabric (including sheets and pillowcases), glue and thread for its Living Quilt program.
"We'd love a new sewing machine," Morss says.
More information: www.afanlv.org or call 382-2326
NATHAN ADELSON HOSPICE
The organization offers services to patients with terminal illnesses and their families regardless of their ability to pay, says Stephanie Forbes, the hospice's development manager.
Arts and crafts supplies for use at Camp Mariposa -- a summer camp for children who have lost a loved one -- are welcome, she says, while coloring books and crayons are useful in keeping children occupied when their families spend time with loved ones.
Administrative costs can be trimmed through donations of office supplies and copy paper, Forbes notes, while paper cups, napkins and paper plates must be replenished throughout the year.
Disposable cameras are needed for "baby boxes," Forbes says, which are given to parents of ill babies and contain such other memory-making items as stamp pads for handprints and footprints.
Meanwhile, knit lap robes and blankets always are appreciated by patients.
Gift cards are used "for all kinds of different things," Forbes says.
More information: www.nah.org or call 733-0320
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SOUTHERN NEVADA
The agency offers mentoring services to children, and can even put last year's Christmas present to use.
Lightly used clothing and household items dropped off at the agency's donation center at 4065 E. Post Road, at any of agency's donation bins across the valley, or at any Savers (mention that your donation is designated for Big Brothers Big Sisters) "directly benefit our kids," says Courtney Teitler, vice president of program services.
(The agency also offers a pickup service by calling 222-9000. Visit www.bbbsn.org/html/Donation_Center.htm for more information on donating.)
For people who want to give a gift that will last all year, a donation of $550 will cover the administrative costs -- for example, screening, background checks and continuing match support -- of sponsoring a child in a one-on-one mentoring relationship for one year.
Another welcome gift would be volunteering to become a mentor. The agency operates mentoring programs in eight empowerment schools in the valley in which volunteers donate one hour a week "to work with a child that's in need of a positive relationship in their lives," Teitler says.
More information: www.bbbsn.org or call 731-2227
THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION DESERT SOUTHWEST CHAPTER
The chapter, which includes Southern Nevada, always can use financial donations, said Luis Carrillo, regional director.
But, even more, the organization welcomes gifts of manpower.
"As a nonprofit organization, we're always looking for volunteers," he says.
Volunteers not only can help the agency provide services for Alzheimer's patients, their caregivers and their families -- the organization's 24/7 Helpline, for instance -- but also can assist with such fund-raisers as the annual golf tournament and Memory Walk.
All of the association's services are provided at no charge, Carrillo says, and "any type of donation that comes to the Alzheimer's Association really makes a big difference in the number of people we serve."
More information: www.alz.org/dsw or call 248-2770
Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280.
