There is still time to help those in need this holiday season.
Below is a list. Pick one or two and spread the spirit of the
season, the joyful feeling of giving.
There is still time to help those in need this holiday season. Below is a list. Pick one or two and spread the spirit of the season, the joyful feeling of giving. And, if you’re overwhelmed and/or behind on your list, take a minute to write and check and mail it off to a local charity. Gilroyans routinely choose to make a difference and that, perhaps, is our greatest strength as a community. Merry Christmas, happy holidays to all.
• Saint Joseph’s Family Center; the Lord’s Table
needs: holiday food items, toys, volunteers, new and gently used books to give to children.
how: Bring items to St. Joseph’s Family Center, 7950 Church St. Books can also be brought to the Gilroy Library, Gilroy Coffee and Tea, at the corner of Monterey and Fifth streets, the Wize Owl bookstore, 8060 Santa Teresa Blvd. (near South Valley National Bank), St. Mary’s Parish School, on First Street. Call David or Jacqui, 842-6662.
• Cookies for the homeless
needs: cookies for the homeless and needy to take away after the Christmas meal at the Lord’s Table
how: Bake a dozen or more and bag them, three to a bag. (If you don’t have time, volunteers will bag them for you.) Deliver them to one of the following places: Anytime on Monday to 775 West Ninth St. in Gilroy. Or from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday to 7761 Rosanna St. in Gilroy. Isabel Cadei, Maria Skoczylas and their helpers will bag the cookies and distribute them to the homeless shelter on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Second Harvest Food Bank
needs: nonperishable food donations, such as powdered milk, pasta, peanut butter, soup, tuna, low-sugar cereal, fruit juice boxes and other canned foods.
when: donations may be made year round.
how: Drop donations off at Gilroy Public Library, Nob Hill, Safeway or PW Market. Call 266-8866.
• Gilroy Family Resource Center
needs: new and unwrapped toys for children and teens
how: bring to the Gilroy Family Resource Center, 8833 Monterey Road
how: Deadline for receiving donations is today (so you have to hurry). Goods received will be distributed on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 22 and 23. Call Zoraida Gomez at 846-5030.
• San Martin Neighborhood Alliance
needs: nonperishable food, toys
how: bring to San Martin Christmas Tree Farm, main entrance at 13856 Monterey Road. Call Connie, 683-2368 or 683-2055.
• The Salvation Army
needs: nonperishable food items, toys, volunteers, monetary donations
how: “Angel tree” located at South Valley National Bank, 8000 Santa Teresa Blvd. or the Salvation Army Thrift Store donation barrel out from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7341 Monterey St. Call Major Carlos Gonzzatti, 848-5373 or Christine Flautt, 842-6745.
• Toys For Tots
needs: Toys or or a cash donation
how: Monetary contributions are tax deductible to South Bay Alliance/Toys for Tots will be utilized for toy purchases for the children in Morgan Hill, San Martin & Gilroy. Please mail checks c/o Cochrane Storage Toy Drive, 411 Woodview Ave., Morgan Hill, CA 95037-2800 or drop off a toy at various locations in Gilroy such as Wal-Mart, numerous outlet mall stores or Gilroy Toyota.
