Dear Austin,
Oh, you big, beautiful, bulging heart smack dab in the center of the Lone Star State! We can always count on you (us) to come through in a pinch. Well, it’s pinching time. Tons of brothers and sisters in need feel the pinch every day. And this time of year, the pinches get personal.
Before the holiday beast devours us whole with its consumerist trappings and tripping of lights fantastical, with overeating and positioning under optimal mistletoe target zones, let us remember our friends who are simply doing what they can to get by, who perhaps don’t have the time for all that gaiety and light. Please remember your neighbors, and take a moment to check out these annual wish lists from local public-service groups.
We invited local nonprofits to send us lists of all the things they need to be able to serve our community with the impact to which we are accustomed. Lists are still coming in as we go to press. As always, we have edited these lists as space dictates, and we encourage you to call your intended benefactor(s) for the details on what specific kinds/brands/sizes of things are needed (especially with regard to tech specs on computer and other electronic systems). Here’s a big hint: They always need your cash and love (i.e., volunteer hours).
So go to it, dear Austin. Go share thine booty, thine plentiful excess, and show these folks how much we appreciate their place in our community and the good they do all year long.
Part 2 runs next week in print, and the overflow and any last-minute Suzies and schnauzers will appear online. (There is still time to submit your list at wishlist@austinchronicle.com.) – Kate X Messer; list compiled by X, Kathryn O’Shields, and Meghan Ruth Speakerman
AIDS SERVICES OF AUSTIN
Computers
Office furniture (desks, chairs)
Small, round conference table
File cabinets
Microwave
Heavy-duty shredder
General office supplies
PO Box 4874, 458-2437.
ANY BABY CAN
Unwrapped gifts for kids
Clothing for all ages and sizes
Ages 0-2:
Nursery items, mobiles
Musical toys
Ages 2-4:
Books
Kids games, trucks, and dolls
Ages 4-6:
Dolls or Barbie dolls
Skates, scooters, or skateboards
Educational toys (LeapFrog) and books
Board games and puzzles
Colors sets and paints
Ages 6-8:
Watches
Cameras
Shoes or sneakers
Dolls or Barbie dolls
Educational toys
Ages 8-10:
Make-up sets, nail polish
Beauty supplies and jewelry
Purses and watches
Skateboards
Cameras
Soccer balls or footballs
Baseball/softball gloves
Sports gear
1121 E. Seventh, 454-3743.
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF AUSTIN
New and gently used children’s clothing
4901 Burnet Rd., 458-3716.
AUSTIN OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER INC.
Office supplies (copy paper, ink jet paper, and laser printer paper)
Cabinets
Couches and chairs
Bottled water
Laptop computer and website development
8906 Wall #401, 833-0444.
AUSTIN ZOO
Canned dog and cat food
Frozen meats (no pork or horse meat)
Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables
Towels, blankets, and sheets
250-watt infrared heat lamps
Regular and heavy-duty tarps
Plastic and metal rakes
Large plastic shovels
Play sand
10807 Rawhide Trail, 288-1490.
BADGERDOG LITERArY PUBLISHING INC.
Digital camera (five megapixels or more)
DVD/CD burner and flash drives
High-quality colored paper
1-inch three-ring binders
Paper shredders
PO Box 301209, 538-1305.
BROWN SANTA
Canned goods
New, unwrapped toys for ages 0-2 and 14-16
Volunteers to sort, wrap, and deliver
710 W. Howard #400, 247-2682.
CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK
Money to purchase healthy, nonperishable fresh food including produce and meats that cannot be placed in food-drive barrels. Donations can be made online.
8201 S. Congress, 282-2111.
CAPITOL SCHOOL OF AUSTIN
Dollhouse furniture and dolls
Play food, play dishes
Memory match games
Beanbag chairs
Baby dolls
Train set
Digital camera
Laminating machine
2011 W. Koenig, 467-7006.
CASA MARIANELLA
Hooded sweatshirts
Men’s blue jeans
Socks
Diapers
Towels
821 Gunter, 385-5571.
CASA OF TRAVIS COUNTY
New children’s clothes, toys, and sneakers for all ages
Gift cards ($10+) to Target, etc.
New children’s books
Office furniture and chairs
One round office table with chairs
Two to five office desks
Two credenzas
Car seats
6330 Hwy. 290 E. #350, 459-2272.
COLLEGE FORWARD
College-themed swag (e.g., University of Texas T-shirts, hats, etc.)
iPods
Gift cards to Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens ‘n Things
Board games (e.g., Apples to Apples, Taboo, Scattergories, etc.)
Toys for classrooms (bouncy balls, slinkies, etc.)
Small boom boxes
Poster frames
Calculators
Tool kits
Laptops
Staplers
The Real ACT Prep Guide, 2008 edition
Boxes of No. 2 pencils
6448 Hwy. 290 E. Ste E-108, 452-4800.
DIVERSEARTS LITTLE GALLERY
Web-design services
Marketing/graphic services
Development/grant-writing services
Food and wine donations for art openings
Reduced or free printing services
Pro bono legal and accounting/bookkeeping services
Video/DVD projector and screen
Analog-to-digital conversion services/media
Mics, stands, monitor boxes
Stage light fader board
Airline miles and hotel accommodations for touring artists
Free or discounted tent rentals for outdoor events
1601 E. Fifth #106, 477-9438.
FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES
Dolls, stuffed animals
Barbies, Bratz, and action figures
Large Legos
Clothes, jewelry, coloring books, art supplies, books, movies, board games, and puzzles for young children and teens
Sports equipment
Dress-up stuff
Large toys
Cameras
Backpacks
Model kits
Uniforms
Band/orchestra equipment
Graphing calculators
Dishes, towels, pots/pans
Vacuum cleaner
Sheets, pillows, blankets
Household cleaners and laundry supplies
Lamps and furniture
3036 S. First #200, 447-2026.
FOUNDATION FOR THE HOMELESS
Toiletries
Blankets
Diapers
Towels
Socks
5202 Balcones, 453-6570.
www.foundationforthehomeless.org
FRONT STEPS
Blankets (twin size or larger)
Men’s jackets, coats, and jeans
New men’s white athletic socks and underwear
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, and razors
Sleeping bags
500 E. Seventh, 305-4100.
HOSPICE AUSTIN
Gift cards to HEB, Walgreens, etc.
Lock boxes (for patient’s homes)
Internet access for our in-patient facility (wireless or station)
Space heaters
Ice machine
Ensure and Boost
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Peanut butter
Canned meats
4107 Spicewood Springs Rd. #100, 342-4700.
HOUSE THE HOMELESS
New thermal underwear for annual Thermal Underwear Drive
Cash: $10 equals a full set of cold-deflecting thermals; $25 equals thermals, a hat, socks, and gloves
PO Box 2312, 796-4366.
KAZI 88.7FM
New antenna
More wattage
Van
8906 Wall #203, 836-9544.
KVRX 91.7FM
Blank CDs, DVDs, DAT tapes, mini DV tapes
Microphones, speakers, sound boards
Vinyl banner printing service
Swiveling office chairs
Cleaning supplies
Venue for SXSW
CD shelves
CMA Building, Dean Keeton & Guadalupe, 471-5106.
LATINITAS
White and colored paper (8½-inch-by-11-inch)
Photo paper (8½-inch-by-11-inch)
Vivera 110 tri-color ink cartridges for HP portable photo printer
Digital video tapes
Headphones for audio recording
General school and art supplies
PO Box 4284, 322-9947.
www.volunteermatch.org/orgs/org42185.html
LIFEWORKS
Children’s clothing
Crayons and coloring books
General art supplies
HEB/Randalls gift cards
Target, etc. gift cards
Disposable diapers and wipes
Adult-sized backpacks (black or dark green only)
Travel-sized toiletries
New crew socks
Sleeping bags
3700 S. First, 735-2400.
MEALS ON WHEELS AND MORE
Boost and Ensure
Protein-rich nonperishables
Volunteer for holiday season, New Year’s Eve, and substitute drivers year round
Grocery-store gift cards
Blankets
3227 E. Fifth, 476-6325.
MONKEYWRENCH BOOKS
Lighted open/closed sign
Water filter for our faucet
Large area rug
Track lighting
Mic cords
110 E. North Loop, 407-6925.
NUBIAN QUEEN LOLA’S CAJUN KITCHEN
Ingredients that can be used for her menu to feed the homeless on Sundays
Nonperishable foods
200-plus backpacks (preferably new)
1815 Rosewood, 474-LOLA (5652).
OUT YOUTH
Mechanic for donated 1991 van
External hard drives (FireWire and USB 2)
Popcorn cart
PlayStation3 with Rock Band
Cappuccino machine
Gift cards (restaurants, movies, Home Depot, vets)
909 E. 49½, 419-1233.
SAFEPLACE
Diapers: sizes 4, 5, and 6
Pull-Ups: all sizes
Baby wipes
Body care products (new shampoo, conditioner, body wash)
Baby care products (oil, lotion, powder, wash)
Feminine hygiene products
Bath towels
HEB and Wal-Mart gift cards
Linens and blankets (twin size)
Pillows
PO Box 19454, 356-1567.
SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY
Grocery and drug-store gift cards
Vacuum cleaners and brooms
Towels and blankets
Toiletries
Adult diapers (large)
Cleaning supplies
Answering machines
2200 E. Martin Luther King Jr., 477-3796.
TEXAS MORATORIUM NETWORK
Unused holiday and birthday greeting cards
Mini DV camera or digital still camera
Design help for logo, website, newsletters, brochures, marketing materials, etc.
Laptop or desktop PC
Places for students to stay in Austin during Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break, March 10-14 (
www.springbreakalternative.org)
3616 Far West #117 Box 251, 302-6715.
TEXAS HEARING AND SERVICE DOGS
Mac laptop and three new PC laptops
Two new HP printers
Two refrigerators
Lawn mower and weed eater
Material for perimeter fence
Walkie-talkies
Large jars of peanut butter
Hot dogs and string cheese
Blankets and towels
Plastic storage containers with lids
Gift certificates for office supplies
10-by-10-foot E-Z Up lightweight tents
4803 Rutherglen, 891-9090, 877/TEX-DOGS.
THE LOVE OF FOOD FEEDS THE HOMELESS
Cases of bottled water
8-ounce to-go containers
Plasticware
Doughnuts and pastries
401 Orchard, 476-2880.
VOLUNTEER SERVICES COUNCIL, AUSTIN STATE SCHOOL
Gift certificates for Home Depot, Target, restaurants, or recreational events
Decorative fence for cemetery
Color laser printer
Exercise equipment
Digital camera
Camcorder
2203 W. 35th, 374-6048.
WEE RESCUE
Heartworm and flea preventatives
Potty pads
Doggy beds and crates
Exercise pens
Travel carriers
PO Box 66872.
THE WRIGHT HOUSE WELLNESS CENTER
Food items to serve 45 holiday dinners
Kitchen utensils
Household items
4301-B N. I-35, 467-0088.
YWCA
Van paint job
New computers
Lamps and furniture
Office supplies
Phone cards
2015 S. I-35 #110, 326-1222.
See next week’s issue for Wish List Part 2!
This article appears in December 14 • 2007.