Holiday greetings, friends,
Here we are at year’s end, assessing our progress, assessing what needs remain. If your 2011 was like our 2011, your ass was kicked thusly and you are scrambling for that 2012 page to turn with hopes for a gentler coming year. As we look back on our own disappointments and struggles, we pause to realize how completely ridiculous self-pity is. There will always be those whose needs are greater. And there will always be those who fight to keep the playing field a bit more level for everyone. Aren’t we all on the same team? When one hurts, we all hurt. When one succeeds, we all ultimately benefit.
Each year, The Austin Chronicle invites local nonprofits to submit lists of the things they need to serve our community. We edit these as space dictates and encourage you to research the details on what specific kinds/brands/sizes/conditions of things are needed (some are legal mandates, so please do call ahead to make sure your gift is appropriate). Here are a few hints: 1) Please don’t dump off old or broken items. 2) Consider becoming part of a year-round giving program. 3) Nonprofits always need computers/accessories, copies/printing, cash, and your love (i.e., volunteer hours). To save space, we’ve taken most of those requests out of the lists. Whatever you wish to give, call your intended recipient and shower them with your tangible affection.
Let’s do this, darling Austin. Let’s support the good these superheroes do all year long.
List compiled by Kate X Messer and Lisa Montierth. Look for more in next week’s print edition and online. (There is still time to submit your list to: wishlist@austinchronicle.com.)
ANY BABY CAN
1121 E. Seventh, 454-3743. info@abcaus.org, www.abcaus.org.
Winter coats for children
Baby clothes and shoes
Children’s books
Layette items
Diapers
THE AUSTIN ACADEMY
1640-B E. Second #100, 326-8655. maggiewhitley@austinacademy.org, www.austinacademy.org.
$5-20 H-E-B, gas gift cards
Handheld video camera
Desktops, laptops
Bus passes
AUSTIN PETS ALIVE!
2807 Manchaca Rd., 961-6519. info@austinpetsalive.org, www.austinpetsalive.org.
Tidy Cats clumping litter
Blankets and towels
KMR and Esbilac milk replacers
Paper towels
AUSTIN STATE HOSPITAL
4110 Guadalupe, Bldg. 631, 452-0381. cindy.reed@dshs.state.tx.us, www.ashvolunteers.org.
Handheld games, puzzle books, art supplies, sports equipment, and board games (all ages)
Bound sketch books (no wire binding)
Sweatpants and sweatshirts (sizes L-3XL)
Tennis shoes (sizes 9-13)
Laminate flooring
AUSTIN TOYS FOR TOTS
4601 Fairview, 458-4019. john.baladez@usmc.mil, www.toysfortots.org.
Sponsors for events, toy drives
New wrapped toys (ages 0-18)
Applicants that need toys
AUSTIN ZOO
10808 Rawhide Trail, 288-1490. info@austinzoo.org, www.austinzoo.org.
Extension cords, garden hoses, tarps (all sizes and lengths)
Canned dog and cat food
HE laundry detergent
BADGERDOG LITERARY PUBLISHING
3710 Cedar, 538-1305. info@badgerdog.org, www.badgerdog.org.
Office supplies (staples, paper clips, printer paper, color paper, tape, etc.)
Space for student and volunteer events
Frequent flier miles
Paper shredder
Video camera
CAPITOL SCHOOL OF AUSTIN
2011 W. Koenig, 467-7006. tamil@capitolschool.com, www.capitolschool.com.
Helmets (ages 4-9)
Two tetherballs
Bird feeder
Soccer goal
iPad
CASA OF TRAVIS COUNTY
7701 N. Lamar #301, 459-2272. casa@casatravis.org, www.casatravis.org.
$30 Target gift cards
Pillow Pets
COLLEGE FORWARD
312 W. Murray Ave., Manor, 512/452-4800. info@collegeforward.org, www.collegeforward.org.
Three point-and-shoot digital cameras
Fifty flash drives (any size)
$5-20 restaurant, retail gift cards
COMFORT THE CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL
1102 E. Cesar Chavez, 769-4127. info@ctcinternational.org, www.ctcinternational.org.
Workgroup laser printer
Postage, credit, and stamps
Airline miles
Board games
FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES
3036 S. First #200, 610-4008. christopher.alberts@foundcom.org, www.foundcom.org.
Holiday sponsors to help formerly homeless/low-income families fill out their holiday wish lists
$5-20 retail, grocery gift cards
New toys for kids (ages 5-13)
Nonperishable food items
New twin sheets
FRIENDS OF AUSTIN STATE SUPPORTED LIVING CENTER
2203 W. 35th, 374-6048. friends@ausslcfriends.org, www.ausslcfriends.org.
Canvas tote bags (not for groceries)
Karaoke machines, CD players
Bicycle repair materials
Men’s belts
Socks
FRONT STEPS
500 E. Seventh, 305-4100. mgibbs@frontsteps.org, www.frontsteps.org.
Bus passes
Underwear
Backpacks
Socks
Hats
GIRLS EMPOWERMENT NETWORK
2206 Prather, 841-4093. office@genaustin.org, www.genaustin.org.
Printer/copier that prints in color and duplexes
Full-size refrigerator
H-E-B gift cards
Printer paper
Art supplies
GIRLSTART TECH CENTER
1400 W. Anderson, 916-4775. friends@girlstart.org, www.girlstart.org.
Lunch sponsor for special events
Airline tickets, miles
Pro bono PR services
Car rental vouchers
Hard laptop cases
GREATER CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH’S RITES OF PASSAGE
6510 Berkman, 454-6170. slands2@gmail.com, www.tyc.state.tx.us/prevention/rites.html.
Expert contractors to install a ropes course, basketball court, and tennis court
A camp site to take 30-40 youth for three- or four-day overnight camping trips
40+ passenger school bus
15-passenger van
GRIFFIN SCHOOL
5001 Evans, 454-5797. stephanie@griffinschool.org, www.griffinschool.org.
Tablet computers
Potter’s wheel
Passenger van
Laptops
Kiln
GROWING ROOTS
PO Box 41048, 240-2757. info@growingrootsaustin.com, www.growingrootsaustin.com.
Sterilite 6-quart storage bins
Letter-size laminating pouches
New or gently used baby toys
Multimedia projector
2-inch plastic binders
HOPE ALLIANCE
1011 Gattis School Rd. #106, 255-1212. developwccc@hopealliancetx.org, www.hopealliancetx.org.
Health and hygiene products (female and male)
Retail, grocery, and gas gift cards
Canned and dry food items
Household paper products
HOSPICE AUSTIN
4107 Spicewood Springs Rd. #100, 342-4700. mmarble@hospiceaustin.org, www.hospiceaustin.org.
Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, lotion, and toothpaste
Retail, grocery gift cards
Soothing music CDs
Space heaters
Canned goods
HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL – AUSTIN
2200 S. Lakeshore, 444-2294. hostel@hiaustin.org, www.hiaustin.org.
Kitchen/dining chairs
Kitchen equipment
Patio furniture
Bunk beds
Sofas
HOUSE THE HOMELESS
PO Box 2312, 796-4366. rtroxell@trla.org, www.housethehomeless.org.
One-year phone use
Printer for HP computer
300 pairs of warm gloves
500 pairs of long socks
285 knit hats
INSIDE BOOKS PROJECT
827 W. 12th, 647-4803. contact@insidebooksproject.org, www.insidebooksproject.org/donate.
African-American studies books
Soft-cover dictionaries
Chicano studies books
KAZI 88.7FM
8906 Wall #203, 836-9544. steve@kazifm.org, www.kazifm.org.
$30 donations
New antenna
LIFEWORKS
3700 S. First, 735-2400. holidayhelp@lifeworksaustin.org, www.lifeworksaustin.org.
Canned meat products: ravioli, beef stew, deviled ham, Spam, etc.
Retail, grocery gift cards
Disposable diapers (any size)
Adult backpacks (dark colors)
Sleeping bags
MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES
5524 Bee Caves Rd., Bldg. M, 328-7299. blythe@mlf.org, www.mlf.org.
Prepaid cell phone cards
Bus passes
Hats, gloves, scarves
Sleeping bags
Tents
NARAL PRO-CHOICE TEXAS
PO Box 684602, 462-1661. info@prochoicetexas.org, www.prochoicetexas.org.
Large storage boxes
Reams of printer paper
Laptops
Photocopier
Scanner
PARTNERSHIPS FOR CHILDREN
14000 Summit #100, 834-4756. volunteer@partnershipsforchildren.org, www.partnershipsforchildren.org.
Hygiene products, full-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, etc.
New clothing and new toys (0-4 years)
Diapers (newborn to pull-ups)
New clothing (ages 5-18)
LCD projector
PEOPLE’S COMMUNITY CLINIC
2909 N. I-35, 708-3109. katiev@austinpcc.org, www.austinpcc.org.
Two small conference tables (seats 5-6)
Brand-new single-user breast pumps
Gently used children’s books
Two ceiling-mounted projectors
13 ergonomic desk chairs
SUSTAINABLE FOOD CENTER
1106 Clayton Ste. 480-W, 236-0074. info@sustainablefoodcenter.org, www.sustainablefoodcenter.org.
Rolling stainless steel cooking station (Jenn-Air or KitchenAid, with propane tank, three-sink washing station)
Two wheelbarrows (steel, 6-cubic-feet capacity, flat-free tires)
Set of sharp knives
Pop-up tent
Bike rack
TEXANS FOR STEM CELL RESEARCH
3112 Windsor #106, 797-2703. bales@txstemcell.org, www.txstemcell.org.
Venue for educational event
Printing services
LCD projector
Office space
Printer
TRAVIS COUNTY BROWN SANTA
15400 Long Vista #101, 247-2682. volunteer@brownsanta.org, www.brownsanta.org.
Toys for boys and girls (ages 0-2 and 10-14)
Nonperishable food items
Books
URBAN ROOTS
2921 E. 17th, Bldg. D #4, 750-8019. info@urbanrootsatx.org, www.urbanrootsatx.org.
Organic compost (100 yards; please call first to coordinate)
10 mil drip tape (eight rolls)
T-Tape 12-inch spacing, high flow (order from Irrigation-Mart: 800/SAY-RAIN)
Floating row cover (two rolls): J&M Industries AG-19 10-by-1,000-feet rolls (order from G&M Agricultural Supply: 800/901-0096)
Chapin backpack sprayer: 4 gallons, product #9896 (www.johnnyseeds.com)
Greenhouse plastic: 4375x Politiv UVA clear greenhouse film, four-year, 6 mil, 36 by 140 feet (5,040 square feet); SKU E1585 (www.agriculturesolutions.com)
VENTANA DEL SOUL
1834 E. Oltorf, 707-7447. fleming@ventanadelsoul.org, www.ventanadelsoul.org.
Hire our students into food-service positions
Use Ventana’s conference and event space
Call Ventana to cater your next event
Have lunch at Cafe Ventana
This article appears in December 16 • 2011.