The needs of nonprofits are always great, but they seem to grow even more around the holidays. Town&Style is doing its part to help by asking local charities to name the top three items on their wish list. During a season that’s all about giving, it’s nice to be reminded of ways we all can lend a helping hand. Adding a few of these items to one of your holiday shopping days can be a small way to make a big impact.
Artists First
Mission: To foster growth in individuals with disabilities through creative self-expression
Items Needed: Art supplies (canvas, paints, etc.), Framing supplies (mat board, frames, etc.), Pottery supplies (clay, glaze, etc.)
Drop Off Location: 7190 Manchester Road, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Sheila Suderwalla, 314.781.4440
Birthright Counseling STL
Mission: To offer free and confidential professional counseling, as well as practical assistance, to mothers facing an untimely pregnancy
Items Needed: 3-month sleepers, 3-month onesies, Size 3 diapers
Drop Off Location: 2525 S. Brentwood Blvd.
Contact: Alyssa, 314.962.5300
BJC Hospice/Friends of Wings
Mission: To provide extraordinary care to children with a potentially life-limiting illness while giving their families support and guidance
Items Needed: Toys/gift cards, Art supplies, Birthday party supplies
* All items for ages 2 to 14
Drop Off Location: 1935 Beltway Drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Alicia Allen, 314.953.1662, aca2296@bjc.org
Card Care Connection
Mission: To enrich lives by providing caring cards and hopeful messages to those fighting cancer
Items Needed: Postage stamps, Card-making supplies, Care package items like hand lotion, lip balm, socks and toys
Drop Off Location: 112 Saddlehorn Court
Contact: Aleeza Granote, 314.477.0084
Caring Solutions
Mission: To design and provide services for children and adults with developmental disabilities
Items Needed: Blankets; Winter scarves, gloves and socks; Winter home items like shovels and ice melt
Drop Off Location: Drop off by appointment to 1240 Dielman Industrial Court, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Lauren Farley, 314.942.7350
Connections to Success
Mission: To inspire individuals to achieve economic independence and break the cycle of generational poverty
Items Needed: Two smartboards, 20 laptops and four iPads, Legos
Drop Off Location: 3000 Little Hills Expressway, Ste. 102, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pick up also available.
Contact: Lynda Keeton, 636.940.8027, lkeeton@connectionstosuccess.org
Every Child’s Hope
Mission: To assist youth and their families in their quest for health and wholeness through quality professional services
Items Needed: Toys and games for infants through age 18, Bedding and linens, New household items
Drop Off Location: 8240 St. Charles Rock Road, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment on weekends
Contact: Laura Kilcullin, 314.427.3755, lkilcullin@echmail.org
It’s Your Birthday Inc.
Mission: To create fun and memorable birthday experiences for children 5 through 12 in homeless and domestic violence shelters
Items Needed: Small toys/party favors, Shop ‘n Save gift cards for cake and ice cream, Party paper items (cups, utensils, plates, etc.)
Drop Off Location: Drop off by appointment to 1204 Washington Ave., Ste. 404. Pick up also available.
Contact: Rolanda Robinson, 314.623.8301, rolanda@itsyourbirthdayinc.org
Little Patriots Embraced
Mission: To enhance the lives of military families in need while a loved one is serving
Items Needed: Toys, Books for children/young adults, $10 iTune gift cards
Drop Off Location: 325 N. Kirkwood Road, Ste. 105, and various local businesses
Contact: Jackie Karalunas, 314.821.5800
Memory Care Home Solutions
Mission: To extend and improve quality time at home for families caring for loved ones with memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
Items Needed: Tools and yard equipment, Picture books/coffee table art books, Used iPods and iPads
Drop Off Location: 4389 W. Pine Blvd.
Contact: Erin Kelley, 314.645.6247 ext. 226
NAMI St. Louis
Mission: To improve quality of life for people with severe and persistent mental illness and their families, and to provide community support, education, advocacy and understanding
Items Needed: Bus Passes, Gift certificates for gas in small dollar increments, Non-perishable snacks or gift certificates to purchase snacks
Drop Off Location: 1750 S. Brentwood Blvd., Ste. 511. Pick up also available.
Contact: Joyce Johnston, 314.962.4670
National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis section
Mission: To strive for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families and to safeguard individual rights and freedoms
Items Needed: High-quality new or used clothing, shoes and accessories for women, men and children; Household items
Drop Off Location: 295 N. Lindbergh Blvd., during store hours of The Resale Shop. For larger items, call 314.692.8141.
Contact: Stacy Kress, 314.993.5181
Nurses for Newborns
Mission: To provide a safety net for families most at-risk for infant mortality, child abuse and neglect by providing in-home nursing visits and parent training
Items Needed: Pack ‘n Plays, Diapers and baby wipes, Infant car seats
Drop Off Location: 7259 Lansdowne Ave., Ste. 100, 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Janet Leigh, 314.544.3433 or janet.leigh@nfjf.org
Pony Bird
Mission: To provide quality care to non-ambulatory persons of all ages with significant intellectual and physical disabilities
Items Needed: Washer/dryer, Flat-screen TV, Office furniture
Drop Off Location: Drop off by appointment to 1 Pony Bird Lane in Mapaville, Missouri.
Contact: Kelly Feldmann, 636.931.5818 ext. 304
Rainbow Village
Mission: To enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by providing safe, affordable and well-maintained neighborhood homes
Items Needed: Lawn and garden equipment like rakes, shovels and pruners; Paint equipment like brushes, rollers, scrapers and drop cloths
Drop Off Location: 1240 Dautel Lane, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: JoAnn Goldstein, 314.567.1522 ext. 201, jgoldstein@rbvstl.org
The Women’s Safe House
Mission: To provide safe shelter and transitional living services to battered women and their dependent children, and to empower women to make informed choices about their futures
Items Needed: Commercial refrigerator, Large flat-screen TV with commercial DVD player, Grocery store or industrial metal shelving
Drop Off Location: Due to confidentiality, call to schedule a drop off. Best days are Monday through Friday.
Contact: Anne, 314.722.4535, development@twsh.org
USO of Missouri
Mission: To lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families
Items Needed: Slim-Jims, Razors, Fruit cups
Drop Off Location: Lambert International Airport, 10701 Lambert International Blvd. Pick up also available.
Contact: Christine Trotter, 314.429.0013, ctrotter@usomissouri.org
Look for more Charity Wish Lists in our Dec. 9 issue.
