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?
animal house cat rescue and adoption center
Project: To provide a safe, enriching living environment and carefully considered adoption services for stray and abandoned cats
Items needed: Dye- and perfume-free laundry detergent and dryer sheets, blue Dawn dishwashing liquid, cat toys and scratchers
Drop location: 2151 59th St., 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday
Contact: Stacey Lewis, 314.531.4626, development.animalhouse@stlcats.org
arts as healing foundation
Project: To bring the therapeutic benefits of art to those touched by cancer and other chronic illnesses
Items needed: Wooden art easels, canvases of assorted sizes and reference photo books for artistic subject material
Drop location: 737 Villa Place Court; dropoff can be at any time, just provide notice one day in advance; pickup can be arranged for larger items
Contact: Vicki Friedman, 314.640.5363
assistance league of st. louis
Project: To identify, develop, fund and implement ongoing philanthropic programs to service specific needs of children and adults in the St. Louis community
Items needed: Books for children of all ages; female toiletries; donations of clothing, interior decor and toys for the Fantastic Finds retail shop
Drop location: Assistance League of St. Louis headquarters, 30 Henry Ave., call to set time; Fantastic Finds, 12778 Olive Blvd., regular business hours
Contact: Headquarters, 636.227.6200; Fantastic Finds, 314.579.9500
connections to success
Project: To inspire families to realize their dreams and achieve economic independence by providing hope, resources and a plan
Items needed: Bus passes, gas and grocery gift cards, hygiene items (deodorant, toothpaste, soap, body wash and shampoo)
Drop location: 3000 Little Hills Expressway, Ste. 102, 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday through Dec. 20
Contact: Lynda Keeton, 636.896.4777
the fit and food connection
Mission: To provide healthy living resources to families in need through nutrition and physical fitness
Items needed: Healthy, non-perishable food, hand gardening tools, standard-size refrigerator
Drop location: 2115 Chambers Road, hours vary; pickup can be arranged
Contact: Joy Millner, 314.312.2746
food outreach
Project: To provide nutritional support and enhance the quality of life for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS or cancer
Items needed: New double-deck, commercial convection oven; new tilt skillet; canned goods including tuna, turkey, chicken, salmon, corn, green beans, mixed vegetables, mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks and peaches
Drop location: 3117 Olive St., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; pickup can be arranged for larger donations on Tuesdays, Thursdays and every other Wednesday
Contact: Justin Kralemann, 314.652.3663, ext. 117
friends of kids with cancer
Project: To provide educational, emotional and recreational support to children with cancer and their families
Items needed: Toys for kids of all ages
Drop location: Before December, 530 Maryville Centre Drive, LL5; after December, 16 Sunnen Drive, Ste. 161
Contact: Mary McKee, 314.275.7440
great circle
Project: To reshape vulnerable lives through a community of partners, teachers and leaders, giving children and families the confidence to create bright futures
Items needed: Gift cards from grocery, clothing and entertainment stores; new toys for newborns to age 18; and clothing and care items for newborns to age 18
Drop location: 330 N. Gore Ave., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Ann Rexford, 314.919.4710, ann.rexford@greatcircle.org
helping hand-me-downs
Project: To enhance quality of life for children and families by meeting their needs and connecting them with resources that foster independence
Items needed: Twin mattresses, gas cards and coats for kids (size 5 to adult small)
Drop location: 6728 Page Ave., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday; pickup can be arranged
Contact: 314.514.5987
humane society of missouri
Project: To give second chances to abused, neglected and homeless animals and to strengthen the bond between animals and people
Items needed: Loving forever homes for adoptable animals; volunteers to foster, walk and socialize shelter pets; toys, sheets, towels, blankets and shredded newspaper
Drop location: 1201 Macklind Ave., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon
to 4 p.m. Sunday
Contact: 314.951.1567
june jessee memorial foundation
Project: To support the physical, emotional and financial needs of families of children with complex neurological conditions
Items needed: Toiletries, touch-and-feel books for children with visual impairments, gift cards to restaurants and stores
Drop location: Please email info@junejessee.org to arrange dropoff or pickup.
Contact: Genny Jessee, 314.594.7128
kidsmart
Project: To empower children in need to succeed in school by providing free essential tools for learning
Items needed: Forklift, packaging supplies (boxes, tape, shrink wrap and box filler) and basic school supplies (paper, crayons, scissors, glue and pencils)
Drop location: Please contact the office for dropoff, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Shannon Richards, 314.291.6211, shannon@kidsmartstl.org
mary ryder home
Project: To serve St. Louis’ most vulnerable senior women, nourishing their social, physical, mental and emotional needs and enhancing their quality of life through compassionate care
Items needed: House slippers (especially women’s large and men’s medium), holiday greeting card packs, hand towels and washcloths
Drop location: 4361 Olive St., Monday through Friday before 5 p.m.
Contact: Emily Woll, 314.531.2981, ext. 232
our lady’s inn maternity homes
Project: To provide women and their children new hope through humble acts of love
Items needed: Canned vegetables, fruits and soups; girls’ (sizes 5-8) and boys’ (sizes 5, 6, 10-12) winter clothes; women’s winter coats
Drop location: 4223 S. Compton Ave., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Carla Howard-Owens, 314.351.4590
pathways to independence
Project: To support the development of skills that positively impact the lives of adults with disabilities who seek greater independence and social success
Items needed: Gas and MetroLink gift cards; gift cards that can be used in a silent auction; college supplies (pocket folders, 3-ring binders, pens, markers and flash drives)
Drop location: 200 S. Hanley Road, Ste. 103; pickup can be arranged
Contact: Liz Cottrell, 314.863.0202, ext. 1, liz@ptistl.org
presbyterian children’s homes and services
Project: 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 or Target gift cards
Drop location: 1220 N. Lindbergh Blvd., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Debra Paulus, 314.989.9727, debra.paulus@pchas.org
ranken jordan pediatric bridge hospital
Project: To provide a complete continuum of care for children with complex medical challenges
Items needed: Gift cards for gas, grocery stores, Amazon, Walmart and Target; therapeutic toys
Drop location: 11365 Dorsett Road, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Contact: Tricia Sievers, 314.872.6450, tricia.sievers@rankenjordan.org
room at the inn
Project: To provide emergency shelter to homeless women, children and families
Items needed: Heavy-duty washer and dryer, heavy-duty freezer and refrigerator, automatic inflatable air mattresses
Drop location: 3415 Bridgeland Drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday; pickup can be arranged for larger items
Contact: David Weber, 314.209.9181
safe connections
Project: To reduce the impact and incidence of relationship violence and sexual assault through education, crisis intervention, counseling and support services
Items needed: Gifts for male teens and adults such as gloves, socks and grooming kits; writing tablets, journals and nice pens; adult coloring books with colored pencils or fine-tip markers
Drop location: 2165 Hampton Ave., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Dani Smith, 314.646.7500, ext. 123
southside early childhood center
Project: To create lasting opportunity in the lives of children and their families by providing the best in early childhood eduction and support services
Items needed: Diapers, unscented wipes and toiletries
Drop location: 2101 S. Jefferson Ave., 7:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Cleo Fisher, 314.333.7111
st. patrick center
Project: To provide opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless through safe and affordable housing, sound mental and physical health, employment, and financial stability
Items needed: Laundry detergent, paper towels and toilet paper
Drop location: 800 N. Tucker Blvd., 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Kelly Peach, 314.802.0700
task (team activities for special kids)
Project: To enrich and nurture the lives of people of all ages with special needs by providing opportunities for them to participate in sports, recreation, life skills and social activities
Items needed: Lysol or Clorox wipes, paper goods and copy paper, postage stamps
Drop location: 980 Horan Drive, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Deb Fruend, 636.343.8275
