Celebrate the spirit of the holidays
Gilroy – The public is invited to celebrate the spirit of
Christmas at 3pm Sunday with Monterey Street Music Academy students
and faculty who will perform their annual Christmas recital and
open house at 7423 Monterey St. Piano performances will include
solos and duets from students ages 5 through adult. Refreshments
will be served in this casual atmosphere.
Details: 848-1064.
Celebrate the spirit of the holidays
Gilroy – The public is invited to celebrate the spirit of Christmas at 3pm Sunday with Monterey Street Music Academy students and faculty who will perform their annual Christmas recital and open house at 7423 Monterey St. Piano performances will include solos and duets from students ages 5 through adult. Refreshments will be served in this casual atmosphere.
Details: 848-1064.
Holiday blood drive at Volkswagen dealer
Gilroy – Al Sanchez Volkswagen will hold a holiday blood drive along with the American Red cross on Dec. 22, from 2 to 7pm in the showroom, 6800 Chestnut St. Donors will receive a holiday T-shirt. Donors must be at least 17 years old, in good general health and weigh more than 110 pounds.
To schedule an appointment call 842-9371.
Students urged to donate loose change
Gilroy – In Gilroy High School’s annual Donation Drive, students are asked to donate loose change to their third period class to raise money for local homeless charities.
Ailes death sparks desire to help
Gilroy – The tragic death of Jeramy Ailes has touched employees at Intero Realty, a group of whom would like to invite the community to join them in collecting and donating any small non-perishable items (phone cards, magazines, non-perishable candy, deodorant, card games, etc.) Please feel free to write some thoughtful letters of gratitude to any unknown soldier.
Call 710-6212 to make a contribution, and an Intero employee will pick up the donation. Donations will be collected through Wednesday.
Items needed for holiday baskets
Gilroy – St. Joseph’s Family Center is collecting items to be used in holiday-themed baskets, packages for homeless individuals and new toys for children 10 and under.
To find out how you can assist the center in their work, call 842-6662.
Warm coats, blankets collected
Gilroy – Coldwell Banker, Gilroy is participating in several charities, including Operation: One Warm Coat, which collects new and gently used clothing, blankets and towels for the homeless and needy; CanTree, which collects canned foods for those less fortunate; and Toys for Tots. Coats and blankets for Operation: One Warm Coats will be collected until Friday, Dec. 17.
To donate an item or for details about one of the programs, contact Coldwell Banker at 848-2800 or at (925)275-3085.
Donate a books and help a child
Gilroy – St. Joseph’s Family Center’s “A Book of My Own,” annual book drive for poor and very low-income children is on. Drop children’s books off at the Gilroy Library, 7387 Rosanna St.; Garlic City Coffee and Tea, Fifth and Monterey streets; The Wize Owl Bookstore, 7411 Monterey St.; St. Mary School, First and Church streets; St. Louise Hospital’s medical surgical department, 9400 No Name Uno; or St. Joseph’s Family Center, 7950 Church St. Donations may be sent to St. Joseph’s with “A Book of My Own” written on the check.
Giving programs at Community Solutions
Gilroy – Community Solutions has several holiday giving programs to benefit local families. Donated food items, gifts and toys, families interested in adopting other families and volunteers to sort and assemble donations are all needed this season. The deadline for donating items is Monday. Help by participating in one of the following programs:
• Adopt-A-Family Program: People are needed to provide a gift for each family member and food for a holiday meal. Details: 776-6280.
• Love Basket Program: Donations of non-perishable food items, and toys are needed to create gift baskets for families. Gifts for teenagers are encouraged. Giving trees with names, ages and gift suggestions for individuals in need are located at South Valley National Bank and Morgan Hill City Hall. Details: 776-6282.
• Volunteers are needed from Dec. 6 through 17 for four-hour shifts to wrap gifts, sort food and assemble holiday boxes.
Details: 776-6282.
Neighborhood toy drive
Gilroy – Gilroy Eigleberry Neighborhood Association is hosting a toy drive for kids 12 years old and younger.
Bring new, unwrapped toys to barrels located at Veteran’s Hall, 74 W. Sixth St.; Happy Dog Pizza, 55 W. Fifth St.; or Hobby World, 6901 Monterey St.
Happy Dog Pizza will donate a free kid’s meal for each new toy donated, limited to one meal per family, per visit.
Santa will be giving out presents to kids from a raffle and taking pictures with everyone from 6 to 9pm on Wednesday, at Veteran’s Hall, 74 W. Sixth St. Raffle prize donations are also needed.
Details: 315-0854 or 655-2500.
See entire list of ways to celebrate and places to donate at the Holiday Helping Hand Digest here on our website.
Send holiday news items to City Editor Robert Airoldi. FAX to 842-2206, mail to Gilroy Dispatch, 6400 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020, or an e-mail to
ed****@ga****.com
.
