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A Helping Hand

As you're handing out your presents this holiday season, take a moment to remember the less fortunate.

The hardships needy people face are only reiterated this time of year as they struggle to buy basic toiletry items, much less toys for the children to put under the tree. Fortunately, the spirit of the season seems to spark a generosity among others to make sure that everyone enjoys the holidays.

"People give gifts around the holiday, but they also want to give a gift of themselves either [financially] or by volunteering their time," said Patricia Couto , assistant vice president of information and referral services for the United Way . "People are more able to [volunteer] during this time of year because they're taking time off from work over the holidays."

Couto said the United Way sees a slight jump in the number of people looking to volunteer around the holidays. "People's spirit of giving really increases and they contact us to see what they can do."

As a resource to people looking to donate gifts or their time, the United Way has compiled a Holiday Wishes list that details holiday needs and volunteer opportunities from its many agencies.

"A lot of agencies work with children and have a need for toys and other items," Couto said. "There's also a large need for household items for shelters to deal with homeless people, and all kinds of personal items."

Read on to see this year's Holiday Wishes from the United Way agencies, as well as a listing of several local events which will support various nonprofit organizations. To find out more about how you can help during the holiday season, call the United Way's information and referral service at (804) 275-2000. Holiday Wishes A Grace Place, Adult Care Center

8030 Staples Mill Road (Richmond)

Contact Sheila Dalbey, (804) 261-0205 Holiday Wish List: Age appropriate puzzles with 500, 250 or 100 pieces; Junior trivia pursuit; Deck of cards; sweatshirts (large and x-large) and sweatpants (medium to x-large); CD music from '40s to present, classical, easy listening and karaoke; radio CD player; craft items or craft store gift certificates; food gift/fresh fruits, nuts or grocery store gift cards; full size pool table; folding indoor basket hoop; movie tickets, Putt Putt, and bowling coupons for member outings. Volunteer Opportunities: Anyone who is musically talented is invited to share their talent during the holidays.An individual or group is needed to come in once a week through December to lead an arts and crafts group making Christmas decorations, gifts, favors. Good for youth groups. Agency will provide technical assistance.An individual or group to assist members with holiday purchasing and gift-wrapping. Agency will provide van and staffBring a party complete with food, decorations and games to liven up the holidays. Members enjoy multi-ethnic celebrations including Kwanzaa, Jewish celebrations as well as Christmas. Agency will provide technical assistance. Ashland Convalescent Center

906 Thompson St. (Ashland)

Contact Erin D. Pittman, (804) 798-3291 Holiday Wish List: Hair brushes, combs, tissues, socks, handkerchiefs, toothbrushes/toothpaste, magnifying glasses, room decorations, holiday gifts, arts and crafts supplies, hats, poker chips for bingo and costume jewelry. Assisting Families of Inmates, Incorporated

1 N 5th St. (Richmond)

Contact Fran Bolin, (804) 643-2401 Holiday Wish List: Food baskets for needy families, Christmas non-perishable and perishable food items in boxes and baskets (turkey, ham, chicken, canned yams, stuffing mix, etc. for several families), toys and clothes for needy children ages 1-17 (call for sizes). Chesterfield/Colonial Heights Christmas Mother

Contact Anne Kalemjian, (804) 748-1183 Holiday Wish List: Toys and clothes for infants, children and teens; clothes and gift items for the elderly and food and monetary donations. Send donations to: P.O. 2500 Chesterfield, VA 23832 Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers needed to sort and distribute food and gifts. The center will be open early December, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the office for exact dates. Chesterfield Community Services Board

6801 Lucy Corr Boulevard (Chesterfield)

Contact Pat Cullen, (804) 768-7204 Holiday Wish List: Summer and winter baby clothes for boys or girls (newborn to 2T), diapers (small, medium or large), blankets, crib sheets, crib and crib mattress. Children At Risk Today

1461 Johnston Willis Drive (Richmond)

Contact Inez Mullins, (804) 377-3125 Holiday Wish List: Copier, computer, TV/VCR (combination unit that could be used during presentations), carry lightweight folding table (ie. card table), food and snack items (chips, soft drinks) that can be stored. Children's Home Society of Virginia

4200 Fitzhugh Ave. (Richmond)

Contact Sandra McCoomer, (804) 353-0191 Holiday Wish List: New winter-related clothes, hats, coats, boots, sweaters (newborn/infants and boys 3 to 6), cloth diapers, washcloths, bath tub toys, disposable diapers (1 - 4), car seats, strollers, new toys (educational) and books. Children's Hospital

2924 Brook Road (Richmond)

Contact Dede Helquist, (804) 228-5920 Holiday Wish List: New toys and gifts, board games, toys that light up, toys that make noise and toys for special needs. Toys and gifts to be donated should be unwrapped. Age appropriate toys will be decided by the staff and therapists and distributed to their patients. Congregations Around Richmond Involved to Assure Shelter (CARITAS)

P.O. Box 25790, Richmond 23260-5790

Contact Ron Stilwell, (804) 358-0964 Holiday Wish List: GTRC bus tickets and prepaid phone cards, Toys R Us gift certificates, G and PG rated videos, backpacks, Payless shoe store gift certificates and strollers. Crater Community Hospice

840 W. Roslyn Road, Suite E (Colonial Heights)

Contact Joan Mills, (804) 526-4300 Holiday Wish List: Christmas cookies or other Christmas baked goods packed in tins to give to patient families, if possible; non-perishable food items (canned or packaged), gifts of toys, clothing, etc. for families the agency identifies as being in need; Christmas cards and Holiday greetings; Christmas tree and decorations and Christmas wreaths. Cumberland County Department of Social Services

P.O. Box 33, Cumberland 23040-9202

Contact Karen Blackwell, (804) 492-4915 Holiday Wish List: New toys and clothes for children, canned goods or non-perishable food items and blankets, sweat suits, socks, gloves and sweaters for elderly. Daily Planet, Incorporated

517 W. Grace St. (Richmond)

Contact Al' Monique Vaughan, (804) 783-0678 ext. 232 Holiday Wish List: Gifts (socks, underwear, sneakers, coats, backpacks, gloves, scarves, jeans, fleece pants and tops, duffel bags, etc. for males and females), toiletry items (deodorant, toothpaste, combs, brushes, disposable razors, laundry detergent, bleach, fabric softener, soap, etc.), coats, washcloths, bus tickets, alarm clocks, calling cards, holiday decorations, work boots and non-perishable food. The East District Family Resource Center

2405 Jefferson Ave. (Richmond)

Contact Johnette Walker, (804) 644-4496 Holiday Wish List: Gift items for children and adults: small toys, hygiene items, stationery, beauty items, board games, clothing for children ages infant to 12 years; meal items for a holiday party: light refreshment items such as a veggie tray, vignette tray, fruit tray, punch items, eggnog, etc. Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers needed to host a Holiday Celebration/Party. This will involve meal preparation, room preparation, serving the meal and clean-up after the meal. Greater Richmond Stop Child Abuse Now

1506 Staples Mill Road, Suite 203 (Richmond)

Contact Ann Tourangeau, (804) 257-7226 Holiday Wish List: Bubbles, Play-doh, children's snacks (juice boxes, cereal bars, fruit snacks/roll-ups, cracker), art supplies (crayons, glue, construction paper, finger paints, markers, tape, brushes, etc.). Hanover Adult Center, Incorporated

7321 Stonewall Parkway (Mechanicsville)

Contact Diane Dillard, (804) 746-0743 Holiday Wish List: Party cups, napkins, round tablecloths, plates for Christmas and New Year's, decorations, ornaments. Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers needed to sing Christmas carols and volunteer as friendly visitors. Hanover County Department of Community Resources

P.O. Box 470, Hanover 23069

Contact Lisa Adkins, (804) 365-4300 Volunteer Opportunities: Contact the office for volunteer opportunities or Holiday project suggestions. HomeAgain

3805 Cutshaw Ave., Suite 300 (Richmond)

Contact JuJuan Mack, (804) 358-7747 ext. 113 Holiday Wish List: Educational toys, books, games and computer software for children of all ages; tickets for movies, sporting events and other community activities; new clothing for men, women and children, all sizes; kitchen items to be used in shelters and to set up housekeeping: pots, pans, dishes, glassware, silverware, microwave, plastic freezer bags, plastic wrap, waxed paper, aluminum foil, paper towels, etc.; linens: towels, washcloths, single bed sheets, pillows, pillow cases, cotton blankets; lamps; tables and chairs. Volunteer Opportunities: Holiday parties for women and children, contact JuJuan Mack at (804) 782-9778. Holiday parties for men, call (804) 788-0880. Holiday parties for veterans, call (804) 230-4278 Infant & Toddler Connection of Crater District

20 W. Bank St., Suite 3 (Petersburg)

Contact Kay Toombs, (804) 862-8049 Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers needed to prepare holiday gifts and meals to be delivered to needy families at Christmas. The agency will prepare gift and food lists and deliver the boxes. Instructive Visiting Nurse Association

5008 Monument Ave., The Corporate Centre (Richmond) Contact Linda Day, Suellen Dewitt or Fran Givens, (804) 355-7100 Holiday Wish List: Assistance with fuel for winter; Christmas dinners for patients; bed linens; blankets; towels; washcloths; school supplies and backpacks for IVNA's pediatric population; holiday baskets for patients and siblings in the IVNA's Hospice and Home Health Program, gift certificates for restaurants, grocery stores and movies; books on topics dealing with illness or death that are appropriate for ages 1-18; diapers, Pull-ups and baby wipes (0 to 12 months); bus and Care Van tickets; diabetic screening equipment; non-prescriptions creams (i.e. Bag Balm); Ensure, vitamins; boost; food vouchers for fresh fruit/vegetables; spices (no salt), support socks; diabetic socks and Jobst socks; support shoes; jar grips; support bars; splints, walker basket; reachers; large number telephones; microwaves and gift certificates for gas cards. Mary Carter Beacon House for Elderly & Handicapped

142 E. Wythe St. (Petersburg)

Contact Rolette Thweatt, (804) 861-1890 Holiday Wish List: Christmas gifts for elderly and disabled clients including socks, gloves, hats, undergarments, belts, personal hygiene items; items for Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, stuffing, rice, vegetable, pies, soda or punch and rolls; refreshments for Christmas party, gift certificates to Wendy's and Arby's. Because most of the house's clients are diabetics, they ask for certificates to buy salads or food clients can eat. Meals on Wheels

1600 Willow Lawn Drive (Richmond)

Contact Jackie Farell, (804) 673-5035 Holiday Wish List: Personal care items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, soap, hand cream, body lotion, nail files, shaving items, deodorant, combs, brushes, shampoo and hair care items; any kind of new small gift item such as paper, pens, pencils, stationary, stamps, puzzles, large print books, playing cards, handkerchiefs, Kleenex and calendars. Volunteer Opportunities: Drivers are also needed during the Holiday season. Memorial Child Guidance Clinic

200 N. 22 St. (Richmond)

Contact Shannon Sensiba, (804) 644-9590 Holiday Wish List: Loving Family Dolls (dollhouse size African American and Caucasian), puppets (shark, lion, bear, wizard, witch, boy, girl, mom, dad, teacher, police, parrot, etc.), therapeutic games (The Ungame, The Talking, Feeling, Doing Game), small figurines (not glass; trees, fences, churches, miniature people, bridges, etc.), anatomically correct dolls (Caucasian), doll house furniture (beds, kitchen and bathroom, etc.), play kitchen and accessories, masks, dress-up clothes (police, firefighter, monsters, magical figures, etc.), doll babies, bottles and diapers for babies Bobos. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) - Richmond Chapter

4914 Radford Ave., #303A

Contact Linda Volovick, (804) 278-9063 Holiday Wish List: Office furniture, food donations (snacks and soda), one-time holiday financial donation. Offender Aid and Restoration of Richmond, Inc. (OAR)

1 N. 3rd St., Suite 200 (Richmond)

Contact Barbara A. Slayden, (804) 643-2746 Holiday Wish List: Food baskets for clients' families, presents for clients such as personal hygiene items, alarm clocks, wallets, duffel bags, socks, white shirts, black slacks, winter coats, blankets, rain ponchos/umbrellas, basic work tools and sweat suits. Refugee and Immigration Services

811 Cathedral Place (Richmond)

Contact Elizabeth Hayes, (804) 355-4559 Holiday Wish List: Bilingual dictionaries: English/Russian, English-Spanish/Spanish-English, Vietnamese-English/English-Vietnamese, Arabic-English/English-Arabic and English-French/French-English; English dictionaries; cassette players; blankets and sheets; cookware (pots/pans) and cooking utensils (large); towels and washcloths; baby diapers; winter coats, hats and gloves; TVs; computers; wallets; umbrellas and purses. Richmond Area Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc.

1901 Westwood Ave. (Richmond)

Contact Jane Rhyne, (804) 358-1874 Holiday Wish List: Old or new magazines with pictures; craft and art supplies; puzzles (new or used in good condition); cassette tape player and recorder; video tapes (educational or exercise with up-beat music); board games for learning numbers, alphabet, reading, telephone skills, social skills and color; dictionaries (large print, easy to use); large easel type chalkboard; books of all kinds up to fourth-grade reading level; gifts and prize items for adult mentally challenged men and women such as jewelry, toiletries, wallets, stuffed animals, candy, sodas, playing cards, plants (real or silk) and novelties; microwave; tables; chairs and money to purchase equipment for child development. Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers needed to provide holiday gifts for one or more children or adults (specific needs or wants and sizes provided upon request), assist with luncheons/parties during the holiday season and "adopt" a needy individual or family and provide some holiday cheer. Richmond SPCA

2519 Hermitage Road (Richmond)

Contact Maya Erhardt, (804) 643-6785 Holiday Wish List: Dog collars and leashes; new and used crates and carriers; canned dog, cat, kitten and puppy food; grooming brushes and supplies; blanket and towels; dog and cat toys and financial donation. The Salvation Army

2 W. Grace St. (Richmond)

Contact Beth Clifton, (804) 421-3423 Holiday Wish List: Dry food goods, laundry detergent, blankets, sheets (white/twin size), arts and crafts supplies and new books. Volunteer Opportunities: Christmas Assistance Program related opportunity - Angel Tree Booth at the Mall, Christmas office and Christmas center (set-up, distribution and breakdown). Southside Child Development Center

1420 McDonough St. (Richmond)

Contact Shelia Pleasants, (804) 232-7142 Holiday Wish List Books (large picture), puzzles (large piece floor), carpet squares (assorted colored, approximately 12'' X 12''), throw pillows (assorted colors and shapes), lumber pieces (small to medium sizes of sanded lumber, different shapes and sizes), styrofoam pieces (sheets of assorted shapes and sizes), children's furniture, large building blocks (plastic), Play-Doh, group to adopt at-risk children for Christmas toys, multi-cultural books and toys and large floor toy (trucks, cars). Volunteer Opportunities: Holiday theme parties for children, curriculum themes set by classroom teachers and staff. Strategies To Elevate People

1900 Chamberlayne Ave. (Richmond)

Contact Rebecca Pelletier, (804) 648-7552 Holiday Wish List: Toys and clothing for children to be used in the agency's "Christmas Store." Urban League of Greater Richmond

511 W. Grace St. (Richmond)

Contact Thomas J. Victory, (804) 649-8407 Holiday Wish List: Food baskets, volunteers and bus passes. The Virginia Home

1101 Hampton St. (Richmond)

Contact Stacy Slusser, (804) 359-4093 Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to wrap gifts and address cards in two hour shifts, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers also needed to visit with the residents on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Don't see your agency or event listed? Drop us a line here and we'll add it to the list!