Holiday salutations, dear friends.
Local nonprofits work overtime to offer us one-stop shops to help streamline our contributions to society. Here’s our chance to show them how much we appreciate what they do.
Each year, The Austin Chronicle invites local nonprofits to submit lists of the things they need to serve our community. Please research or call to learn what specific items are needed (some are legal mandates, so make sure your gift is appropriate). Hint: Nonprofits always need computers/accessories, copies/printing, cash, and your love (i.e., volunteer hours), so in many cases, due to space limitations, we took those wishes out. Assume they are needed everywhere. Let’s fulfill some wishes, Austin.
Kids/Education/Holidays
AFRICA’S PROMISE VILLAGE
512/350-5880. info@africaspromisevillage.org, www.africaspromisevillage.org
Help fund:
› Medical clinic ($50,000) to serve 19 Maasai villages in Tanzania, East Africa
› Support for an orphan child in the Intel Orphanage in Tanzania ($1200)
› New artificial leg for Kodogo, six-year-old orphan ($350 installments)
› Development of a Tanzania Children’s Choir (any amount) to aim for US tour in 2016
› Concrete for sidewalks and flowers and shrubs for orphanage
AUSTIN VOICES FOR EDUCATION & YOUTH
512/450-1880. aweeks@austinvoices.org, www.austinvoices.org
› Gift cards: HEB, and general ($20 each)
› Gift cards: Academy (any denomination)
› New or gently used children’s/youth bikes
› New or gently used children’s books
BLUE SANTA
512/974-2583. bluesanta@austintexas.gov, www.bluesanta.org
› Cash donations for traditional Christmas meals for over 4,000 Austin families
› Toys for infants age 2 and toys for ages 10-14 (both historically under-represented age groups in the donations we receive)
› Stuffed animals to include with the 22,000 packages we will be delivering to Austin children this year.
› Volunteers to help deliver over 4,000 gift boxes on December 20
FLORENCE’S COMFORT HOUSE
512/385-8672. info@florencescomforthouse.org, www.florencescomforthouse.org
› Baby and toddler clothes
› Diapers (all sizes)
› Wipes, bottles
› Heaters
› Children’s books
› Towels and linens
› Gift cards: Target
PARTNERSHIPS FOR CHILDREN
512/834-4756. volunteer@partnershipsforchildren.org, www.partnershipsforchildren.org
› Gift cards: iTunes, Old Navy, Academy, Target, etc.
TEXAS BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOME
512/246-4286.
› Commissary food pantry items
› Gifts for toddlers, children, teenagers, and single moms
THINKERY
512/469-6200. info@thinkeryaustin.org, www.thinkeryaustin.org
› Wine and Champagne bottle corks (left over from your holiday celebrations!)
› Purchase a Gift Membership for your loved ones
› Hold an event at the Thinkery
Environmental/Animals
AMERICAN HONEY BEE PROTECTION
info@ahbpa.org, www.honeybeekind.com
› Event coordinator services for fundraiser
› Office furniture and computers
› Natural wood storefront display cases
› Gift cards: Amazon
AUSTIN ZOO & ANIMAL SANCTUARY
512/288-1490. info@austinzoo.org, www.austinzoo.org
› Gently used linens for animal bedding
› Small electric heaters
› Pet toys (all pets)
› Canned dog food
› Art Supplies
MINIS & FRIENDS
512/293-8808. info@minisandfriends.org, www.minisandfriends.org
› Coastal hay in bales (not round)
› Materials for building shelters
› Corral panels (interlocking 4×8)
› Sponsors for annual vet care
› Stall mats
WILDLIFE RESCUE
512/472-9453. wildstaff@sbcglobal.net, www.austinwildliferescue.org
› Paper towels, kitchen trash bags
› Laundry detergent, bleach
› Puppy chow
Health/Medical
AUSTIN STATE HOSPITAL
512/452-0381. cindy.reed@dshs.state.tx.us, www.ashvolunteers.org
› Footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs
› Sweat pants and sweat shirts (adults M-XL)
› Lounge/PJ pants (adults and children)
› Adult house slippers
› Lap blankets
CAPITAL AREA PARKINSON’S SOCIETY
512/750-8091. www.powerforparkinsons.org,
› Funding for costumes for Parkinson’s participants’ dance performance
› Gift cards: H-E-B, Target, Costco, Office Depot
› Gift cards: Uber or taxi (for seniors)
› Office supplies
› Exercise bands
› Postage
Quality of Life
AUSTIN ATHEISTS HELPING THE HOMELESS
atxahh@gmail.com, www.atxahh.com
› 6-8 clear plastic 18-gal. storage totes
› Clean, new, or gently used winter wear
› Gift cards: Amazon or Big Lots!
› New, thick men’s socks
› Travel-size toiletries
AUSTIN COMMUNITY STEELBAND
512/473-8434. www.ausitncommunitysteelband.org
› Scholarships ($150 per student)
› Transportation donations ($45 = 1 month for 10 kids)
› Snack fund ($50 = 1 month for 10 kids)
MEALS ON WHEELS & MORE
512/476-6325. holiday@mealsonwheelsandmore.org, www.mealsonwheelsandmore.org
› Shampoo, soap, deodorant, lotion, toothpaste
› Gift Cards ($20): H-E-B, Target
› New blankets
› New socks
› Ensure
MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES
512/328-7299. info@mlf.org, www.mlf.org
› Prayers for Community First! Village and all future residents
› Gently used recreational vehicles
› Gift cards: Target, H-E-B, etc.
› New men’s tube socks
Rights/Advocacy
CASA MARIANELLA
512/385-5571. info@casamarianella.org, www.casamarianella.org
› Winter jackets: men’s, women’s, and children’s
› Men’s jeans
› Blankets
CENTER FOR SURVIVORS OF TORTURE
512/358-4612. evin@cstnet.org, cstnet.org
› Blankets, coats, sweaters
› Shoes (all sizes)
› Gift cards: H-E-B
› Canned goods and dry rice & beans
› Other nonperishables
TEXAS MORATORIUM NETWORK
512/961-6389. admin@texasmoratorium.org, www.texasmoratorium.org
› Holiday and birthday greeting cards
› Postage stamps
› Poster board
› Gift cards: gas stations
› iPad
Compiled by Kate X Messer, Neha Aziz, Ashley Ratcliffe, and Carmen Rising. See the full list at austinchronicle.com/wishlist.
This article appears in December 12 • 2014.