CHRISTMAS
Adopt-A-Family, Woonsocket
Adopt-A-Family seeks volunteers to "adopt a child" and purchase clothing, toys and a stuffed stocking from that child's wish list. Donors wrap all gifts and deliver them to the donation center at the Elks Lodge, 380 Social St., Dec 9-14 on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Volunteers, especially those who speak Spanish, are needed to cover 4 hours shifts. For more information, call (401) 766-2291 or visit www.woonsocketadoptafamily.org. Monetary donations are accepted via PayPal from the website.
Capital City Community Centers' Adopt-A-Family Program
This social service agency seeks donors to provide clothing, bed linens, toys, entertainment items and gift cards for holiday gift bags for needy children and senior citizens. For more information, call Lorraine Sena at (401) 724-8400, ext. 244, or e-mail lsena@gatewayhealth.org.
Cardi's Furniture 29th Annual Toys for Tots Drive
Drop new or like new (unwrapped) toys to any Cardi's Furniture location through Dec. 23. Special Collections on December 8 & 12. For details, visit cardis.com/events.
Children's Friend
This agency -- a provider of child welfare, family support, mental health and child development services -- is holding its annual Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive. To learn how you can sponsor a family, visit childrensfriendri.org or call the Spirit of Giving Holiday Line at (401) 276-4346.
Concentra Urgent Care
All four Concentra Urgent Care locations in Rhode Island will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 17 for the Toys for Tots Drive. For a complete list of locations and hours of operations, visit www.Concentra.com.
DaVinci Center Adopt-a-Family Program
This agency is looking volunteers willing to "adopt" a family for the holidays. Gift certificates for food and clothing are preferred, but sponsors may shop for children. For more information, call Karissa Libutti at (401) 272-7474 or e-mail klibutti.davincicenter@gmail.com.
Executives Association of RI/Project Undercover
The state's oldest business leads group seeks individuals and companies for monetary and gift card donations as well as children's underclothing, diapers, scarves, hats and gloves for Project Undercover. Items must be received by Dec. 15. Call Nancy Thomas at (401) 447-8182 or e-mail nthomas@tapestrycommunications.com.
Family Service of Rhode Island
This agency seeks retail and grocery gift certificates and new toys for all ages. Call Karen Schnabel at (401) 331-1350, ext. 3311, or e-mail schnabelka@familyserviceri.org.
Foster Forward
This agency, formerly known at the RI Foster Parents Association, is looking for monetary donations and/or groups to "adopt" a group home to provide gifts for teens in DCYF care. Checks made payable to Foster Forward can be sent to Holiday Gifts Campaign for Teens, 55 South Brow St., East Providence, RI 02914, or donate online at www.fosterforward.net. Call Leidy Alves at (401) 438-3900, ext 125, or e-mail leidy.alves@fosterforward.net.
Helping Other People in Emergencies
This organization is looking for cash donations, food baskets, gift cards, new toys and warm clothing. Send to 2 Mattie St., Providence, RI 02909. Call Kay at (401) 521-0706.
JAYCEES Holiday Help Fund & Change Charities/Candy Cane Exchange
This organization seeks cash donations, gift certificates and volunteers. Donations may be sent to JAYCEE Holiday Fund, P.O. Box 348, West Warwick, RI 02893. For more information, call (401) 828-9191 or e-mail wwjayceeskc@aol.com.
The Maids Toys for Tots Drive
This local cleaning company will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots Drive weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Maids, 1745 Main St., West Warwick, through Dec. 14. For more information, call (401) 825-7741.
Operation Holiday Cheer
Donation drop-off day for the 10th annual campaign to provide holiday care packages for National Guard troops stationed overseas will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, 541 Airport Rd., Warwick. A "wish list" of items can be found online at www.ltgov.state.ri.us/ohc. The event is organized by Lt. Gov. Roberts' office with help from the RI National Guard's Family Assistance Center.
The Rhode Island Blood Center Toys for Tots Drive
The center is teaming up with the U.S. Marine Corps in support of its annual holiday campaign to collect toys for underprivileged children in Rhode Island. Drop off new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 7 at any one of the five locations: 405 Promenade St., Providence; 615 Greenwich Ave., Warwick; Polo Center, 688 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown; 14 Woodruff Ave, Narragansett, and 2168 Diamond Hill Rd., Woonsocket.
Rhode Island Community Food Bank Holiday Meal Drive Open House
The food bank will hold an open house Dec. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at its offices, 200 Niantic Ave., Providence. Bring donations, tour of the facility and meet Miss Rhode Island and Miss Teen Rhode Island.
The RI Family Shelter
This emergency shelter for homeless families, 165 Beach Ave., Warwick, seeks cash donations, discount store gift cards, new women's pajamas, new men's sweatshirts and new socks in all sizes. For more information, call Selena at (401) 739-8584.
Smithfield Police Holiday Toy and Clothing Drive
The Police Department and several merchants at the Smithfield Crossing are collecting gift cards as well as new, unwrapped toys and clothing for children ages 6 to 18 through Dec. 7. Call patrolman Orlando Braxton at (401) 231-2500, ext. 202. or visit www.facebook.com/smithfieldpolice for more information.
St. Mary's Home for Children
The state's most comprehensive residential treatment facility for neglected and abused children seeks donations to help the children at Christmas. Call Susan DeRita at (401) 353-3900, ext. 262; e-mail sderita@smhfc.org or visit www.smhfc.org for suggestions.
Swansea Mall Toys for Tots Drive
Drop off new, unwrapped toys now thru mid-December at the Toys for Tots box at Center Court. Gifts for children ages 9 to 14 are especially needed this year.
GENERAL
Keep the Heat On
Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin's "Keep the Heat On" is a program of last resort for those who have exhausted all options and have no place left to turn for heating assistance. The program is needs cash donations to further distribute heating assistance. Checks should be made payable to "Keep the Heat On" and sent to One Cathedral Square, Providence, RI 02903. Call (401) 421-7833, ext 207, or visit www.heatri.com for more information.
Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need
This emergency outreach community organization seeks nonperishable food items, grocery gift cards and monetary donations for neighbors in crisis during the holidays and throughout the year. Gifts can be dropped off to 805 Alton Carolina Rd., Charlestown or mailed to RI CAN, P.O. Box 204, Charlestown, RI 02813. For more information, call Deborah Nigrelli at (401) 364-9412 or e-mail believeyoucan@cox.net.