Tis the season for giving! If you’re looking for alternative forms of giving, you’re in luck. Over the past decade, more and more people who have grown tired of the commercial hustle-bustle of the holidays are forgoing the search for that perfect gift for the once-a-year cousin and the last-minute panicked shopping reflexes, and are giving the gift of their own time to help others. You know, as in “good will toward men”? And many more who still participate in the year-end rituals are finding ways to give back to their communities by providing supplies, money or whatever is needed to groups who do the frontline healing work. You can give in someone else’s honor, give the honoree a nice notice of your gift, and unless they’re heartless curmudgeons, they’ll love it. For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list detailing some local organizations who do a lot of good in the community, how you can get involved, and what they need. Happy giving!
Alexander Youth Network
6220 Thermal Road
PO Box 220632
Charlotte, NC 28211
Web: www.alexanderyouthnetwork.org
Phone: 704-336-8712
Volunteer Services: 704-362-6760 or
volunteer@alexanderyouthnetwork.org
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Clothing and shoes, recreational needs (sports equipment, arts & crafts supplies, videos, games, etc.), hygiene items (shampoo, brushes, soap, etc.), school supplies (books, flash cards, etc.).
Alzheimer’s Association
Western Carolina Chapter
3800 Shamrock Drive
Charlotte, NC 28215
Web: www.alz-nc.org
Phone: 704-532-5421
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Conference room table and chairs, small office table with chairs, artwork, TV/VCR, desktop PC, laptop PC (both Windows 2000 compatible), flatbed scanner, monetary donations and volunteers always welcomed.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
2424 N. Davidson Street
Suite 110
Charlotte, NC 28205
Web: www.bbbscharlotte.org
Phone: 704-377-3963
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Wish list includes: silverware, b/w and color printer, office supplies (file folders, copy paper, etc), cubicle dividers, paper items (towels, tissue, etc.), VCR/DVD player. Also, currently recruiting “bigs,” especially volunteer big brothers, as most of the waiting list are boys. There are many ways to get involved as a volunteer in either the school-based or community-based programs.
Catholic Social Services
1123 South Church Street
Charlotte, NC 28203
Web: www.cssnc.org
Phone: 704-370-3228
The Refugee Resettlement Office provides housing, food, social services, English language classes, cultural orientation and employment services to new refugees. They give them an opportunity to start a new life in the United States helping them to become self-sufficient as soon as possible.
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Blankets, disposable diapers, car seats, bedding, basic household items, personal hygiene items, toiletries, food gift certificates or monetary donations. The Refugee Resettlement Office has a great need for volunteers to work in the Early Childhood Development Program. Also need English teachers/tutors and case aides fluent in Spanish.
A Child’s Place
PO Box 33302
Charlotte, NC 28233
Web: www.achildsplace.org
Phone: 704-343-3790
Volunteer Office: 704-343-3792
A Child’s Place works in collaboration with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to provide education and support services and to advocate for children and their families who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.
Holiday Volunteer Opportunities/Donation Needs:
Volunteers to be lunch buddies, classroom assistants, snack providers, tutors /mentors. Material needs include clothing, especially khaki or navy pants and white shirts (all sizes), undergarments (all sizes), hygiene items (soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, Kleenex, shampoo, comb, brush, black hair care products, hair accessories), school supplies (locks for lockers, sheets/bedspreads, pots, pans, food containers, pillow cases, curtains, towels, washcloths, utensils, pot holders, dishes, dish cloths, toilet paper, paper towels).
Council for Children
601 East 5th Street
Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28202
Web: www.councilforchildreninc.org
Phone: 704-372-7961
The Council for Children’s mission is to protect, promote, and passionately represent children, their needs, and their issues by advocating for them at local and state levels.
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Financial Contributions
Crisis Assistance Ministry
500-A Spratt Street
Charlotte, NC 28206
Web: www.crisisassistance.org
Phone: 704-371-3001
For volunteer info, contact: 704-371-3001 x114 or bcampbell@crisisassistance.org
Crisis Assistance does incredible work throughout the year, helping low-income families who are facing a financial emergency by offering them resources and programs to help them move toward self-sufficiency.
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Needs list includes financial donations, blankets, x-large men’s and women’s clothing, towels, sheets, pots/pans, dishes/glasses, pillows, cooking utensils, furniture (especially beds, mattresses, kitchen tables/chairs), major appliances (stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers), office supplies (pens, paper, folders, etc.), printer cartridges and toner, phones. Volunteers are needed in various ways including conducting interviews with clients, picking up donated items, assisting with client pick-ups, and helping the agency in clerical ways as well as public relations opportunities.
Elon Homes for Children
1717 Sharon Road West
Charlotte, NC 28210
Web: www.elonhomes.org
Phone: 704-699-2939
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Elon Homes needs volunteers to be homework buddies and mentors. Volunteers also sponsor special events and bring gifts during the holiday season. Wish list includes construction paper, glue, markers, poster board, new/used magazines, clothes hampers/baskets, pillows, board games, movies (PG13), dictionaries, book bags, novels, plants (real or fake), ziploc bags (gallon sized), toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, deodorant, pens, pencils, combs (no pointed ends), small plastic cups (not disposable). Note: Please call before visiting or sending anything to the school.
The Family Center
1516 Elizabeth Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28204
Web: www.thefamilycenter.net
Phone: 704-376-7180
For volunteer info contact:
Nancy Kramer 704-376-7180 x104
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Many holiday and seasonal opportunities, including assisting staff and shoppers on Shopping Days, and wrapping packages for the Christmas Shopping Day.
Florence Crittenton Services
1300 Blythe Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28236
Web: www.fcsnc.org
Phone: 704-372-4663
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Volunteers for child care/babysitting, activity coordinator, tutor/mentor, transportation assistant, group opportunities also available.
Friendship Trays, Inc.
2401-A Distribution Street
Charlotte, NC 28203
Web: www.friendshiptrays.org
Phone: 704-333-9229
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Friendship Trays is always in need of volunteers to help prepare or deliver meals, but especially during the holidays when the “regulars” may have family commitments.
Hands On Charlotte
1616 Central Avenue
Suite 200
Charlotte, NC
Web: www.handsoncharlotte.org
Phone: 704-333-7471
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Always in need of volunteers for various projects. Wish list includes: large boxes or barrels for Coat Drive Collections, raffle items for Funky Coat Party, construction paper, masking tape, paint and paint brushes (for children’s activities), glue/glue sticks, educational games/toys for pre-K through 5th grade, digital camera, flip-chart easel, any kinds of gift certificates, especially to Home Depot (or call the office for a tax deductible donation to go a specific store), stock, new office supplies.
Hope Haven, Inc.
3815 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28206
Web: www.hopehaveninc.org
Phone: 704-372-8809
Hope Haven, Inc. is dedicated to helping people in recovery from substance abuse rebuild their lives by providing them with the support services and life skills needed to achieve long term recovery and self-sufficiency.
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
More than anything, Hope Haven can use financial contributions.
Hospice at Charlotte
1420 East 7th Street
Charlotte, NC 28204
Web: www.hospiceatcharlotte.com
Phone: 704-375-0100
Volunteer Contact: Jessica Curry 704-335-3578
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Volunteers can help by donating gift items for patients or by preparing a special meal. Participants are needed for the Light Up a Life ceremony.
Life Span, Inc.
200 Clanton Road
Charlotte, NC 28217
Web: www.lifespanservices.org
Phone: 704-944-5100
Volunteer/Donation Contact:
Lori Avery, 704-944-5100 X144, lavery@lifespanservices.com
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Wish list includes: office and home furniture, file cabinets w/locks, laptop computers, office supplies, arts & crafts materials, exercise equipment, blankets, snacks & boxed drinks, cleaning supplies, toiletry items, children’s books (English and Spanish). Multiple volunteer opportunities.
Loaves & Fishes
2800 Park Road
Charlotte, NC 28209
Web:N/A
Phone: 704-523-4333
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Loaves & Fishes needs volunteers to help organize food drives as well as help with pick-ups and deliveries; for the phone referral center; and warehouse assistants to pack and sort food. Donation needs are 100% pure fruit juice (no added sugar), soup, canned tuna, salmon, chicken, pork & beans, peanut butter, and turkeys.
Metrolina Association for the Blind
704 Louise Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28204
Web: www.mab-jlbm.com
Phone: 704-372-3870
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Financial contributions, volunteer opportunities also available.
Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN)
PO Box 37190
Charlotte, NC 28237
Web: www.carolinarain.org
Phone: 704-372-7246
RAIN is a valuable community resource providing compassionate care for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS, and offering prevention education for our region.
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Volunteers to provide transportation and for special events. Financial contributions are also appreciated.
Right Moves for Youth
1031 South Caldwell Street
Suite 102
Charlotte, NC 28203
Web: www.rightmovesforyouth.org
Phone: 704-377-4425
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Right Moves for Youth needs financial contributions, school supplies, educational toys/games, new books, tickets to arts/cultural/ sporting events, non-perishable snack items.
Salvation Army
515 Clanton Road
Charlotte, NC 28217
Web: www.salvationarmycharlotte.org
Phone: 704-334-4731
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Angel Tree volunteers, and hearty participants to “Ring the Bell.”
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
500-B Spratt Street
Charlotte, NC 28206
Web: www.secondharvestcharlotte.org
Phone: 704-376-1785
Second Harvest feeds hungry people by soliciting and distributing food and other grocery products through partner agencies. They also educate people in the community about the nature of, and solutions to, the hunger problem.
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Especially need individuals mornings & afternoons Monday-Friday to sort and pack donated food items.
Teen Health Connection
CMC North Park
251 Eastway Drive
Charlotte, NC 28213
Web: www.teenhealthconnection.org
Phone: 704-446-0924
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Wish list includes socks, deodorant, lotion, shampoo and other toiletries, posters, sports tickets, compact discs, discount coupons and gift certificates for teens, young adult books and magazines for our waiting room gift box.
Thompson Children’s Home
6800 Saint Peter’s Lane
Matthews, NC 28105
Web: www.thompsonchildrenshome.org
Phone: 704-536-0375
For information about the needs list, contact: Colleen Vandermark 704-536-0375 X103 or cvandermark@thompsonchildrenshome.org
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Hygiene products, school supplies, disposable cameras, twin sheet sets, bed pillows, boy’s comforter sets, new children’s clothing for ages 6-12, all size batteries, all-occasion wrapping paper.
United Family Services
601 East 5th Street
Suite 400
Charlotte, NC 28202
Web: www.unitedfamilyservices.com
Phone: 704-332-9034
Store Volunteer Contact: Daisy Goodwin 704-332-2513
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
A Holiday “store” will be set up for women and children who are domestic violence survivors. Donations and volunteers are needed for this event. The wish list includes: household items (pots/pans, silverware, iron, sheets/blankets, decorative items, toaster, etc.), women’s clothing and undergarments (sizes
8-26), children’s clothing and undergarments (all sizes), accessories (hair scrunchies, gloves, purses, barettes, etc.), hair/skin care products, makeup (all skin types), school supplies (stationary, pens, etc.), infant items (potty seat, formula, pacifiers, etc.), all kinds of children’s toys and games, Disney and family movies, electronic items (video games, CD players, headsets, etc.) Note: all items must be new. Please, no used items.
Uptown Shelter
1210 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28206
Web: www.uptownshelter.org
Phone: 704-334-3187
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
The Uptown Shelter has an immediate need for volunteer supervisors and van drivers, as well as an urgent need for bath soap, towels, and washcloths.
Urban Ministry Center
945 North College Street
Charlotte, NC 28206
Web: www.urbanministycenter.org
Phone: 704-347-0278
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
The Center is having a sock, hat, and glove donation drive through Dec 1. They also need financial donations, and they provide ongoing volunteer opportunities.
Youth Homes, Inc.
601 East Fifth Street
Suite 330
Charlotte, NC 28202
Web: www.youthhomesinc.org
Phone: 704-334-9955
Youth Homes, Inc. fosters the development of children and families in need by offering services that support family preservation and reunification or seek permanency through alternative placements.
Holiday Volunteer Opps/Donation Needs:
Ongoing volunteer opportunities for tutors, mentors, office and administrative support. Monetary donations always welcomed and appreciated.
This article appears in Nov 24-30, 2004.
