| A Season for Giving | |
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By Cami Cox and Bill Brown Hurricane Valley Journal | |
The air is becoming crisp, and tinsel, twinkle lights and holly are beginning to appear on doors and storefronts. Along with these hallmarks of the holiday season, a surge of generosity and concern for others seems to well up in the hearts of citizens, flowing forth in acts of kindness and charity. “What we see during the holiday season is the spirit of people wanting to reach out and help and provide for people in need. For some reason, it seems to be more pronounced in the holiday season,” said Linda Sappington, director of the Volunteer Center of Washington County. There are many local needs throughout the year among nonprofit and charity groups, but at Christmastime, the wish list grows as these groups endeavor to reach out and provide holiday cheer for those they serve. Local residents can give Santa Claus a helping hand this year by aiding the following organizations and others in the community. “My heart is just so full in watching what members of this community do with their time and their talents and their finances,” Lynette Bingham, shelter manager at the D.O.V.E. Center, said. “It doesn't go unnoticed. Those served see it and appreciate it. I wish I could thank all the generous individuals in Washington County on behalf of the DOVE Center and the entire nonprofit community.” Big Brothers Big Sisters Donations are needed to purchase toys and goodies for children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Stocking stuffers, such as toys and gift certificates (enough for 100 kids) are also being accepted. The items will be given to the kids during Big Brothers Big Sisters' annual Holiday Party on Dec. 10. To donate, call 986-9776 or stop by 285 W. Tabernacle, Suite 305. Coins for Kids The 17th annual Kony Coins for Kids effort rolls forth this year to provide Christmas gifts for local families in need. Community members can get involved in a variety of ways. Donations to Coins for Kids can be made at any of dozens of businesses in the St. George area (for a complete list, see the Web site). New, unwrapped toys, minimum $15 value, can also be dropped off at Stephen Wade Chevrolet/Nissan, 150 E. 1160 South in St. George; Stephen Wade Honda/Mazda, 1630 S. Hilton Dr. in St. George; and Stephen Wade Powersports, 1295 E. Highland Dr. in St. George. Volunteers can help shop for the Coins for Kids families, Dec. 19 at the Bloomington Wal-Mart, 2610 S. Pioneer Road in St. George. Volunteers don't need to sign up beforehand; they should just arrive at Wal-Mart, and they will be given information about families they are shopping for. Shopping will take place from 6 p.m. until finished, and kids are welcome to take part with moms and dads. Volunteers can also help with gift-wrapping, Dec. 20, at the Dixie Center, 1835 Convention Center Dr. in St. George. Gift-wrapping will begin at 8 a.m. and continue until all the gifts are wrapped. For more information about Coins for Kids, visit coinsforkids.net. Dixie State College The annual “Gift of Dixie” dance will take place to aid the Kony Coins for Kids effort, Dec. 7, in the DSC Gardner Ballroom. Christmas trees will be placed around the DSC campus in the weeks prior to the dance, decorated with stars bearing information about local kids who are in need for the holidays. DSC students and community members can take stars from the tree and purchase the needed items for the children. To gain entrance to the Gift of Dixie dance, DSC students must bring their stars and the purchased items to the door. Community members can buy items for the children in need without attending the dance. For more information, contact Donna Stafford at 652-7513. Doctors' Volunteer Clinic Volunteers are needed at the Doctors' Volunteer Clinic to help assemble and send fundraising mailers during the month of December. The clinic is also in need of over-the-counter cold and cough medicine for children and adults: children's Tylenol, ibuprofen, cough syrup, etc., for the upcoming flu season. Also, ace wraps, knee braces and hand braces for orthopedic patients are needed. Volunteers are needed year-round in the front office at the clinic, and donations are accepted year-round, as well. For more information or to volunteer, call Shirley Simpson, 656-0022. D.O.V.E. Center Stocking stuffers are needed for women and children at the D.O.V.E Center, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Atop the list of needed items are department store and restaurant gift cards, bus passes, phone cards, movie passes and passes for children's activities. Financial donations are needed to help the D.O.V.E. Center purchase six new computers. To contribute or for more information, call the D.O.V.E. Center at 628-1204 and ask for Lynette. Future Business Leaders of America, HHS Once again, Hurricane High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) will be sponsoring a canned food drive. FBLA has been sponsoring this service activity for many years now and appreciates the support from students, parents, teachers and staff of HHS. The food drive will begin Dec. 3 through Dec. 18. Students are encouraged to bring canned food items to any and all of their classes. Teachers will collect the food which will be donated to Hurricane Care and Share. All donated food will remain in the Hurricane Valley to be distributed to those in need. Thanks again for your support. It is needed! HOPE Organization Holiday meal items, nonperishable food items, children's toys, clothing and books are needed for families served by the HOPE Organization, a nonprofit group aiding women, children and young adults who have chosen to leave polygamous lifestyles. Wal-Mart gift cards are especially needed for the families. Children's books, educational books, learning toys and other items are also needed for a library project the organization is putting together for clients in Hildale. To contribute to the HOPE Organization, contact Sharyl at 627-9582. Information about the organization can also be found at thehopeorg.org. Hurricane Valley Chamber of Commerce The Hurricane Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its second annual KONY Coins for Kids auction, Thursday, Dec. 6, at its monthly meeting. The chamber requested its members to donate an item or two for auction at the meeting. Then they have requested their members to bring their checkbooks with them, in order to purchase items being auctioned. According to a press release, the chamber collected more than $1,500 in less than 40 minutes. Their goal this year is to break this record. For more information, contact the Hurricane Valley Chamber of Commerce at hurricanechamber@hotmail.com Hurricane Valley Christmas Tree Festival The Hurricane Valley Christmas Tree Festival, at the Hurricane Senior Center, raises money and other support for local families in need this holiday season. Entrance to the festival is $1 or a non-perishable food item. All proceeds and food items will go to help needy families in the Hurricane Valley. This year they need volunteers to help with the festival, the 5k run, entertainers, as well as trees, to be auctioned off during the silent auction. For more information or to get involved with the festival, contact Murna Trump at 635-2206, Lorilee Slack at 635-0524, Debbie Leavitt at 635-5119, Nanette Billings at 635-0232, or Julie Hirshi at 635-2358. Hurricane Valley Family Support Center The Hurricane Valley Family Support Center is wishing for medical and dental treatment, shoes, and clothes for children. The last year and half she has been working with a child in need of extensive dental work. “I've researched, asked many people, helped the family apply for help and searched endlessly for funds to help this child but have made very slow progress. Her need for the dental work is serious but the expense is too much for my very limited resources. Dear Santa, my wish would be getting help either money or dental services to fix her broken or missing teeth.” To help out or for more information contact Marilyn Winn at 673-1839 or marilynwinn@hotmail.com. Hurricane Valley Food Bank The Hurricane Valley Food Bank, an extension of the Dixie Care and Share, has been providing boxes of food to the people of Hurricane Valley in need for years, Roberta Cameron, director of the food bank, said. She said this year they need non-perishable food items, dry goods, diapers, peanut butter, or any food item that can last on the shelf for a while. She said there is not a huge need for hams and turkeys, as they get a lot of that from Salt Lake. “What we really need are donations of canned goods that can sustain us on a monthly basis throughout the year,” Cameron said. She added volunteers to help sort, distribute, and pick up the food are always welcome, however, at this time of year they often have all the volunteers they need. Coats and seasonal items are also gladly accepted. Monetary donations can be made to the food bank, but should be in a sealed envelope, she said. Also, checks should be made out to the Dixie Care and Share, the HVFB's parent organization. “The people of the community have always been just fantastic supporting us,” Cameron said. “We really appreciate the help from the community, from the schools, banks, post office, boy scouts, and other food drives throughout the year. We also appreciate those individuals who make a point of making donations on a monthly basis, or as they are able.” The HVFB is open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The food bank is located at 450 E. 800 North, unit 8, in Hurricane. For more information, call Cameron at 635-0995. The Learning Center for Families Donations of toys and food items are needed for families served by The Learning Center for Families, an agency serving developmentally challenged children ages 0 to 3 and their parents. Volunteers and financial contributions are also needed at the agency year-round. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, call Dixie Spencer at 673-5353, ext. 23. Navajo Donation Drive Our organization, however small and insignificant, has helped children year after year living in deplorable conditions. We do it out of our love for humankind and wanted to let these kids know that however bad their living situations are, that they can and have the right to a better life. They can do something great for others and have the lifestyles that they desire but only through effort and hard work. Last year we were able to provide Christmas to about 350 children living on or nearby reservations. We have continued to grow each year. However this year we are desperate for donations in all areas. Monetary donations are greatly needed to assist in transportation costs as well as any last minute purchases. We need people to assist with wrapping and sorting presents. We supply the kids with basic needs so these are the items we are seeking. Coats, Shoes, Socks and Underwear, Pajamas, Slippers, Blankets, Christmas stockings (however we ask that there be no candy but healthy alternatives such as nuts and granola bars.). And Toys (of course). Any person willing to donate any of the above items can get drop off details by calling 435.680.0358. If I don't answer please leave message and I'll have someone return your call ASAP. Thanks, Tonya Jocelyn P.A.W.S. Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the folks at P.A.W.S. will host “Home 4 the Holidays” at the St. George Animal Shelter, 605 E. Skyline Dr. in St. George, to raise money and find adoptive homes for their pups and kitties. Performer Merrill Osmond will become a celebrity “hostage” for the event, being penned up in a dog kennel until either 12 animals are adopted or $12,000 is raised to aid homeless animals. There will be refreshments at the event, professional photos taken with Merrill or Santa Claus (for a fee), a bake-sale table, arts and crafts, vendors and, most importantly, adoptable animals. To help out with Home 4 the Holidays as a volunteer or for more information about the event, call Carol at 627-2102. P.A.W.S. supporters can also make a donation to P.A.W.S. in the name a friend for Christmas. For those impossible-to-buy-for folks who also happen to love animals, a card can be obtained, telling the recipient that a donation has been made to P.A.W.S. in their name. P.A.W.S. is in need of donations, contributions, dependable volunteers and foster families for pets throughout the year. To get involved, call or send an e-mail to spl1011@infowest.com. Salvation Army The Salvation Army is a non-denominational Christian organization dedicated to helping the poor and needy in the area. The local branch is run by a committee of volunteers representing many faiths and areas of the community. They run a soup kitchen in St. George, as well as making donations to Dixie Care and Share, and the Hurricane Valley Food Bank. This year, the Salvation Army needs volunteers to man a collection point at Lin's Marketplace in Hurricane. They are looking for people who can commit to a two hour stint of ringing the bells. They will be manning the collection point every Saturday between now and Christmas. All money collected, stays in the local area. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Charles “Chick” Youngberg at 635-4820. Southwest Federal Credit Union From Nov. 19 to Dec. 7, Southwest Federal Credit Union is conducting a “Coat and Can” drive to benefit the Dixie Care and Share. Donations of coats, warm clothing and nonperishable food items can be dropped off at any SWFCU location. For more information, call 628-2693 or visit any SWFCU branch. Southwest Utah Community Health Center Donations of toys, blankets, infants' and children's clothing and books are needed at the Southwest Utah Community Health Center to be given to families and new mothers in need. Donations of new items are preferred. To contribute or for more information, call 986-2565. Washington County Children’s Justice Center The Washington County Children's Justice Center is in need of 30 to 35 filled Christmas stockings and the same number of lap-sized quilts for the holidays. The center is also in need of office supplies, such as white copy paper, colored copy paper and washable dry-erase markers, as well as two easels to hold chart paper for interview rooms. To contribute or for more information call 634-1134. Washington County Youth Crisis Center The Washington County Youth Crisis Center is seeking assistance to provide Christmas to an undetermined number of detainees age 12 to 18. Staff members have created a wish list for boys and girls staying in the YCC shelter this holiday season. Suggestions include portable radios, board games, playing cards, electronic games, blankets, gift certificates to Wal-Mart, Target or K-Mart; DVDs (G or PG only, please); activity books, gel pens, colored pencils, markers, glue sticks, miscellaneous stickers, craft paint, elastic thread, plastic laces (to make boondoggles); age-appropriate books, dictionaries, thesauruses and calculators. Individual youth would also enjoy certificates for movie rentals and local theaters and basketballs or jump ropes. To accommodate large groups, the facility would welcome basketballs, boxing equipment, volleyballs or dodge balls, Spanish-speaking reading materials, CD players, pillows, quilts, blankets and/or twin sheets, bicycles and bike helmets. The Youth Crisis Center would also appreciate a large capacity washer and dryer as a special gift from Santa Claus. Also of particular need are new socks and underwear in all sizes, sweats, pajamas, slippers, shoes, wrapped candy and wrapping paper. Throughout the rest of the year, the Washington County Youth Crisis Center also has a variety of service projects for youth groups or humanitarian service groups. To donate to the Washington County Youth Crisis Center, call Melinda at 656-6122 or Destri at 656-6100. To have your organization's charitable needs or service projects listed, please contact the Journal at 635-0580 or send an e-mail to brandon@hvjournal.com. | |
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HVJournal.com Vol. 11, No. 14, November 28, 2007 | |
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