Public Notice

Holiday Wish Lists, Part One

By Kate X Messer, Fri., Dec. 18, 1998

Each year at this time we embark on the most American of odysseys. We fleece ourselves silly and then take our scraps of wool to our local merchant of wares in hopes of finding that exactly perfect little special something to impress the bejesus out of some object of affection. It's quite a trek, lined by miles of aisles and smiles of subservient salespeople desperate to wring out the dough. Buy-bye.

Well, goshdarn it, giving to perfect strangers can be just as gratifying. So every year at this time we offer up some space to our local Public Service Angels. Here, they share with you some wish lists. Now it's our turn to share.

Tremendous thanks go to intern Mary Sledd, who compiled this beast with the assistance of intern Elizabeth Skadden. Additional thanks go to Stewart Gallas from AIDS Services of Austin for having the idea four years ago.

NOTE: The 1998 Holiday Wish Lists have been edited for space. All groups listed need office supplies, computers, and copiers. (We deleted these items first.) Please call first for specifications, as some organizations have systems in place.

Cash and volunteer hours are universally appreciated.

Many organizations are happy to send cards for your donations in loved ones' names. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

AIDS Services of Austin

PO Box 4874, 78765, 458-2437

Space heaters
Microwave ovens
VHS camcorder, VCR
Blank VHS videotapes
Canned food items
Personal hygiene items: toothbrushes, razors, and laundry soap
Winter coats for adults
Books of stamps for clients

ALLGO -- Informe SIDA

1715 E. Sixth, #112, 472-2001

Couch
Blank videocassettes, disposable cameras
Industrial coffee maker
Laser printer, laser scanner for IBM or Macintosh
Holiday gifts for HIV+ clients (please call)
Warm coats for adults and children

Any Baby Can

3423 Guadalupe, #100, 454-3743

Diapers, baby formula
Gift certificates for food and toys
Children's clothing size 5-12

Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe, #582, 419-2330

Walkmans
Wallets, small purses
Watches,jewelry, perfumes
Lotions, aftershave
Men's and women's socks, slipper socks
Sweat pants and shirts (M, L, XL)
Children's toys and games (no combat themes)
Crayons, color markers
Books, coloring books
Playing cards

Blue Santa

715 E. Eighth, 389-3556

Toy donations for boys and girls, one-two years old and 10-12 years old

Capital Area Food Bank

8201 S. Congress, 282-2111

Non-perishable food
Television, VCR
Printing services
Film output for printing jobs
35mm camera with flash, lenses, film; video camera

C.A.R.E.

1633 E. Second, 473-2273, ext.110

10-12 strings of outside holiday lights, preferably 10-12 feet in length
Large, covered outside barbecue grill, suitable for cookingfor group of 20-30
10 frozen turkeys or 10 hams
Movie passes

Casa Marianella

821 Gunter, 385-5571

TV/VCR
Christmas lights and decorations
New bedding, blankets, towels
Non-perishable food items
Winter clothing for men
Hats, scarves, gloves, cold weather items for all ages

CEACO -- Central East Austin Community Organization

1715 E. Sixth, #100, 472-5575

Gently used winter clothing (coats, gloves, hats, shoes, boots) for men, women, and children
Women's clothing in large sizes
Men's shoes, sizes 12-13
Non-perishable food for holiday baskets (canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned broth, soup)
Gift items for adults & children (personal hygieneitems, socks, gloves, toiletries, new toys)
Giftwrapping materials

Connections

837 W. 12th, 495-7467

Sturdy outdoor toys
Children's unpainted wooden blocks
New children's books (age birth to eight)
New infant-toddler board books
Flip chart paper, tablet
Rolls of newsprint
TV/VCR combination
Wall-to-wall carpeting, installment
T-Shirts printed for parent conference

Ecology Action

Ninth & I-35, 322-0000

Credit card terminal
Fax machine
Five-gallon water dispenser
Drinks, snacks, bottled water for volunteers and workers
Work gloves
Energy efficient window AC and heaters
Microwave
Power tools
Nontoxic cleaning supplies
Dark blue latex paint
Postcards suitable for thank you notes
35mm b&w film, all speeds except 100

El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission

1919 S. First, 441-7977

New toys under $15
Canned food
Baby formula and diapers
Gently used clean clothes for women and school-aged children
Late model computers (486+)
Multimedia computers (for teaching ESL)

Extend-A-Care for Kids

55 N. I-35, 472-9402

Truck for deliveries
Lateral file cabinets
Computer keyboards, VGA monitors, systems no lower than 386 or 486
Retail stores loaded with holiday cards from Extend-A-Care for Kids, Dec. 19-24.

The Faith Home

4101 Wildwood, 302-4101

Batteries -- size AAA, AA, C & 9-volt
Dish towels, detergent, trash bags, paper towels
Heavy white cotton washcloths
One-piece jumpsuits and overalls for toddlers and pre-schoolers
Children's clothes and bedding
Little Tikes Sand & Water Table
Child Craft Crib n' Bed -- white or oak
Board games, cards (Crazy Eights, Go Fish, Old Maid, etc.)
Art materials, toys (no battery-operated toys, please!)
Music center, CD player, tape player, radio, headphones
No Barbies or stuffed animals, please

Family Eldercare

3710 Cedar, 450-0844

Holiday giftwrap
Volunteers to purchase a gift and visit elderly or disabled client
New blankets for the elderly without family

Hancock Recreation Center

811 E. 41st, 453-7765

Children's books
Large coffee urn
Audio-Visual cart
Scanner
Peace on Earth, Good Will to All!
HIV Wellness Center
4301 N. I-35, 467-0088
Candles of all types
White indoor-outdoor holiday lights
Discarded items for client or agency use

Make-A-Wish Foundation

2224 Walsh Tarlton, 329-9474

Granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses is not cheap. Also accepting frequent flyer miles.

Manos de Cristo

1200 Willow, 477-7454

New toothbrushes
Blankets, jackets
ESL class sponsorship, online sponsorship

Meals on Wheels

2222 Rosewood, 476-MEAL

New van
Canned goods
Adult clothing items
Blankets, portable heaters
Hard look at the plight of the elderly and disabled
Holiday goodies for our recipients

Out Youth Austin

909 E. 49 1/2, 708-1234

Books and current magazines, tapes, CDs, and videos
Multi-line phone/PBX system & hands-free headsets
PR & graphic design assistance
Employee health benefits
Power Mac and laser printer
Couches, chairs
Lawnmower
Tolerance

Project Transitions, Inc.

7101-B Woodrow, 454-8646

Landscaping, plants and mulch
Picnic table
Cleaning supplies
Paper towels
Personal hygiene items
Tickets for the movie theatre
Office supplies
Vacuum cleaner
Light bulbs

SafePlace

PO Box 19454, 78760, 385-5181, ext. 217

Backpacks
Walkman radios, tape players
Passes to movies, bowling, sporting events
Gift certificates for stores, services, groceries
Multi-ethnic dolls, non-violent books, toys, games
Sports balls, equipment
Warm clothing, accessories in all sizes, including XL
Costume jewelry, watches

Salvation Army

501 E. Eighth, 476-1111

Educational games, craft supplies, cards, puzzles
Children's backpacks
Strollers, cribs, baby beds
Day room furniture and TV trays
Computer disks, Internet provider
35mm camera and film
Camcorder and VCR

Sierra Ridge Youth Program

201 W. St. Elmo, 447-2026, ext. 17

Copier
Computers, educational programs
Hands-on math learning tools
Grocery store certificates
Television, VCR

TARAL -- Texas Abortion & Reproductive Rights Action League

PO Box 684602, 78768, 462-1661

Couch
Postage stamps
Laser printer
Shelving unit, book cases

YWCA

1524 S. I-35, #315, 326-1222

50 medium-sized Christmas stockings
Perfumes, toiletries, nail polish
Free Internet service, Web site upkeep
Picture, certificate frames
Artwork for walls
Football or basketball cards, Hot Wheels, Matchbox cars, fluorescent pens, pencils, erasers, bubbles, Koosh balls, stickers, activity books, journals

Next Week: Holiday Wish Lists, Part Two!

E-mail: [email protected]Mail to: "Public Notice," The Austin Chronicle, P0 Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765. Deadline: Wednesday, 6pm, eight days prior to publication. Phone calls have a .001% chance of being returned.

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