In this season of giving, Town&Style has contacted local charities to ask what’s on their wish lists. It’s important to remember those who could use a helping hand during our season of joy and celebration. Why not add a few of these items to your shopping list to help make the holiday season a little brighter for others? (Look for more charity wish lists in our Dec. 15 issue.)
All Among Us
Mission: To awaken hope and dignity for the homeless and those those living in poverty by providing a safe environment and services as a path to self-sufficiency
Items Needed: Tables (5), chairs (30), a sleeper sofa, armchairs (2), a recliner and a rug
Drop Location: 447 W. Jackson Road, Thursday or Friday
Contact: Gigi MacMullan, 314.608.9700
Arthritis Foundation
Mission: To lead the fight for the arthritis community and help conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science, and community connections
Items Needed: Gas cards, gift cards for local restaurants and activities to be used in silent auctions, gift cards to hardware and craft stores, and office supplies
Drop Location: 9433 Olive Blvd., Ste. 100, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Meaghan Anselm, 314.447.4882
Artists First
Mission: To provide a safe, welcoming, accepting professional space where people of all ages and abilities and from all walks of life can come together to explore and create art individually and collaboratively
Items Needed: Art supplies, frames and framing supplies, and office supplies
Drop Location: 7190 Manchester Road, 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Sheila Suderwalla, 314.781.4440
The Biome School
Mission: To engage students in an individualized and challenging, yet nurturing, educational environment, enriching their minds and cultivating confident and creative builders of the future
Items Needed: Lucy Calkins kindergarten classroom library set, Lucy Calkins first grade classroom library set and Lucy Calkins second grade classroom library set
Drop Location: 4471 Olive St.
Contact: Michele Mosley, 314.696.2561
Buddy Fund
Mission: To improve the character and life-skills of disadvantaged kids by delivering sports equipment to organizations providing structured sports and recreational activities in the metro St. Louis region
Items Needed: Baseballs, basketballs and soccer balls
Drop Location: 2827 Clark Ave., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Contact: Ann Lederman, 314.615.2833
Camp Jump Start at Living Well Village
Mission: To create healthier individuals and families through action learning across the life cycle
Items Needed: Pound Ripstix Green Rockout Workout Drum Sticks, a tower for the weight room and a golf cart or skid-steer
Drop Location: 3602 Lions Den Road in Imperial, or call for pick up
Contact: Elizabeth Flowers, 636.674.5014, contact@livingwellvillage.org
Catherine Cares
Mission: to create precious memories, assist with basic needs and let families know they are not alone after a baby receives a life-threatening prenatal or newborn diagnosis
Items Needed: Catherine Cares Heartbeat Bears, purchasing one donates another to a family embarking on a difficult journey; chain and local restaurant gift cards (any amount welcomed; $25 is recommended); and fuel station gift cards (any amount is welcomed; $10 is recommended)
Drop Location: Mail to P.O. Box 220503, 63122; Heartbeat Bears can be purchased at catherinecares.org.
Contact: Lauren Turley, 314.277.8332, lauren.turley@catherinecares.org
Crisis Nursery St. Louis
Mission: To prevent child abuse and neglect
Items Needed: Large size diapers (size 4, 5, 6 and pull-ups), new toys and formula (all types)
Drop Location: Any of the 14 nursery locations or the administration offices at 11710 Administration Drive during daylight hours
Contact: Jane Beckman, 314.292.5770
Crown Center for Senior Living
Mission: To honor Jewish values and traditions; provide affordable, high-quality living and services to enable residents to flourish independently; and create inspiring programming to enable both residents and other community seniors to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle
Items Needed: New watercolor supplies (paints, brushes, paper and pencils, preferably Prang), 12 inch by 12 inch canvases and a carrageenan paper marbling kit
Drop Location: 8350 Delcrest Drive, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Randi Schenberg, 314.991.2055
EnergyCare
Mission: To promote healthier, safer home environments and independent living by providing year-round energy-related services in St. Louis communities for low-income households with persons who are elderly, disabled, or chronically ill and families with young children
Items Needed: Twin-sized or larger, new or gently used blankets and comforters
Drop Location: 2758 Wyoming St., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call for pick-up
Contact: Justine Collum, justine@energycare.org
Friends of Wings
Mission: To provide clinical, emotional, social and practical support and services to children who have progressive, life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses or conditions regardless of their ability to pay
Items Needed: Tickets purchased for Big Bear Brunch, one of Friends of Wings biggest fundraisers; festivities are held at The Chase Park Plaza Dec. 2 from 9:30 a.m to noon and include brunch, balloon-making, arts and crafts, cookie decorating, a photo booth, a DJ and dancing, and special character appearances
Drop Location: Visit friendsofwings.org to purchase tickets
Contact: friendsfowings.org
Gateway to Hope
Mission: to secure comprehensive care and provide financial assistance for individuals in need who are diagnosed or at high risk for developing breast cancer
Items Needed: Grocery store gift cards, warm clothing and toys for the holidays, gift cards to stores like Walmart and Target, and gas cards
Drop Location: 425 N. Ballas Road, Ste. 220, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Melynda Porges, 314.569.1113
L’Arche St. Louis
Mission: Shared living with people with developmental disabilities
Items Needed: Induction stove, Wii game system and patio furniture
Drop Location: 2934 Marshall Ave., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Tina Grace and Paula Kilcoyne, 314.405.8025
Let Me Run-St. Louis
Mission: To inspire boys through the power of running to be courageous enough to be themselves, build healthy relationships and live an active lifestyle
Items Needed: Volunteer coaches (register online at letmerun.org); a bullhorn or megaphone; and a basic color or black and white printer
Drop Location: Please contact Monica Wohlberg to coordinate.
Contact: Monica Wohlberg, monicaw@letmerun.org
Make-A-Wish Missouri
Mission: To grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions and enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy
Items Needed: Airline miles, in-kind goods and services (such as hotel loyalty points, building materials and new electronics), and cars for the Wheels for Wishes Program
Drop Location: Airline miles at mo.wish.org; in-kind goods and services, call 314.205.9474 to coordinate; cars at wheelsforwishes.org
Contact: 314.205.9474
Marygrove
Mission: To provide mental health services to youth from families below the poverty line who would otherwise not have access to services
Items Needed: Visa gift cards, MP3 players, and diapers (size 2, 3, 4 and 5) and wipes
Drop Location: 2705 Mullanphy Lane, 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Lauren Rau, 314.830.6286, lrau@mgstl.org
Mid-East Area Agency on Aging
Mission: To assist seniors in their journey of aging
Items Needed: Gloves, socks and granola bars
Drop Location: 14535 Manchester Road, Monday through Friday before Dec. 21
Contact: Cindy Carlson, 636.207.0847 ext. 108
Our Lady’s Inn Maternity Homes
Mission: To provide women and their children hope for a new life through humble acts of love
Items Needed: Paper napkins, toilet paper, canned fruit and applesauce, ranch dressing, canned vegetables, hand and bath towels, wash cloths, and gift cards to Walmart and Target
Drop Location: 4223 S. Compton Ave., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Cathy Nowotny, 314.351.4590
Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services
Mission: To provide Christ-centered care and support to children and families in need, with a focus on preventing and healing abuse
Items Needed: Twin-size sheets and blankets, Walmart gift cards
Drop Location: 1220 N. Lindbergh Blvd., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Contact: Debra Paulus, 314.989.9727, debra.paulus@pchas.org
St. Vincent Home for Children
Mission: To help youth facing significant life challenges through love, security and therapeutic supports that enable them to improve their lives, families and communities
Items Needed: Winter jackets for teens (adult sizes S to XXL), undergarments (socks and underwear) and board games
Drop Location: 7401 Florissant Road, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Amy Soell, 314.261.6011 ext.123
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 decisions about their futures
Items Needed: Winter coats (women’s sizes S to XXXL), pajamas (women’s sizes S to XXXL), and shoes and slippers (women’s sizes 6 to 13)
Drop Location: Call or email to arrange for pickup.
Contact: Burgandy Bonser, 314.772.4535, bbonser@twsh.org