Holiday Wish Lists 2004, Part 2

Please.

So difficult to say. So easy to forget. So easy to think inappropriate.

"Please."

It's okay to ask.

Sure, the philosophies that make it seem weak, pathetic, uncool to ask for that which is needed are in power right now, slowly dark-aging our collective psyche with suspicious disdain and self-doubt. But, baby, know this: It's okay to ask. It's okay to give. And when our official power structures dismantle the very safety nets folks worked for generations to install, it is incumbent upon big hearts to create more, larger, even safer webbing. Every day that our country rots, turgid in the collective piggish condescension of "I got mine," it is mandated that those of us who do not dream this particular American nightmare come together to lift our brothers and sisters out of the sickening slack. Fuck points of light.

Here is Part 2 of our annual Holiday Wish List list. We are grateful for these and other area organizations that fill the gaps that we, as the most wealthy and organized society ever to set foot on Earth, still manage to create.

The groups that serve to fill these needs have needs of their own. In these cases, very specific needs, hence this list. And they are ASKING. And we are TELLING. They need you, and we need them.

This is Part 2. Part 1 was printed in last week's issue. (We've included a handy index here.) All of it is online. We've asked groups for five items (but no cash, volunteers, computers, and printers; those are fairly universal). Call these folks for the very specific items and brand names that would serve them best.

We hope you find this list most useful. No, really. Please use it.

Happy holidays. Happy.

Please.

– Kate X Messer; list compiled by Reena Karia and Kate Getty

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88.7FM KAZI Radio
www.kazifm.com
8906 Wall #203, 836-2887

• New broadcasting antenna/mast for station
• Members who give donations for us to stay on the air
• Peace on Earth

91.7FM KOOP RADIO
www.koop.org
304 E. Fifth, 472-KOOP

• LCD Projector
• Office furniture, filing cabinets, folding chairs
• Boom box/room stereo
• Shipping envelopes
• Memorex CD-Rs

Austin Music Network
www.austinmusicnetwork.org
1143 Northwestern, 478-8600 x22

• Our wish? To be able to continue to serve Austin, its film and music communities, and their supporting audiences

Austin Zoo
www.austinzoo.org
10807 Rawhide Trail, 288-1490

• Flooring materials
• Cargo van and utility vehicle
• Airline miles, stamps, latex gloves
• Wheelchairs, strollers
• Fresh produce, horse-quality coastal hay, grocery store gift cards

Badgerdog Literary Publishing Inc.
www.badgerdog.org
PO Box 301209, Austin, 78703, 293-7100

• Software with licenses: Adobe Creative Suite, Dreamweaver, FileMaker Pro, virus protection
• Gift cards for Target, BookPeople, and Amazon.com
• Bulk individual snacks and bulk individual bottled waters
• File cabinet, bookshelves
• Printing services

Capital Area Food Bank of Texas
www.austinfoodbank.org
8201 S. Congress, 282-2111

• Office furniture: desks, chairs, filing cabinets, bookcases

CASA of Travis County
www.casatravis.org
6330 Hwy. 290 E. #350, 459-2272

• Gift certificates: grocery stores, Target, etc.
• Holiday gifts for CASA kids, newborn to age 18
• Folks to sponsor CASA kids
• Office supplies

Family Eldercare
www.familyeldercare.org
2210 Hancock, 450-0844

• Handicapped-accessible van
• Patio furniture (two to three tables with umbrellas and matching chairs)
• Boom box for walking group
• New or gently used home furnishings
• Microwave ovens

Hospice Austin
www.hospiceaustin.org
2820 E. MLK, 322-0747 and 342-4700

• HEB, Wal-Mart gift cards
• Ensure nutritional drinks
• Baby monitors
• Blankets
• New/recent Mapsco Austin map books

LifeWorks
www.lifeworksweb.org
1221 W. Ben White Ste. 108-A, 735-2222

• Adopt-a-Family
1) Families range in size from two to 10 individuals.
2) All families are currently receiving or have recently received services from one or more LifeWorks programs.
3) A variety of gift-delivery drop-off dates and times are available.
4) As a guideline to donors, LifeWorks suggests that donors spend between $50 and $100 per individual in the family plus a gift card for groceries.
• Adopt-a-Youth
1) Donors may adopt an individual youth or a group of youths from our programs.
2) Youths range from 16 to 21.
3) A variety of gift-delivery drop-off dates and times are available.
4) In order to maintain equity and fairness within the house, LifeWorks suggests that donors spend between $50 and $60 per youth.
• Sponsor a Holiday Party
1) You provide food and decorations for the holiday party
2) Assist with recruiting volunteers to provide stocking stuffers for each of the party's guests. LifeWorks suggests that donors spend $35-50 per youth on a gift card to one of the many larger retail stores (i.e., Target, Wal-Mart, HEB, etc.) that stock clothes, food, and other essential items.

Meals on Wheels and More
www.mealsonwheelsandmore.org
3227 E. Fifth, 476-6325

• Holiday baskets
• Personal care and hygiene items
• Stationery
• New blankets
• Warm socks

Texas Hearing & Service Dogs
www.servicedogs.org
4803 Rutherglen, 891-9090, 877/TEX-DOGS

• Large appliances, Shop-Vac, and home furnishings
• Fencing materials/service
• Dog crates, plastic bins for food, blankets, towels
• Used (defunct) cell phones, remote controls, mobile phones for dog training
• Crutches, canes, power wheelchairs

YWCA www.ywcaaustin.org
2015 S. I-35 #110, 326-1222

• Van repainted
• Phone cards
• Office supplies and art supplies
• Flatware, large and medium coffee urns, cups
• Bulk individual snacks and drinks for kids

MORE ORGANIZATIONS
(from last week's Wish List)