Mix good deeds with fun for a holiday cocktail
DIGGING DEEP for treasure from Alexandria House.
Now that the holidays are upon us and we are able to leave our homes, it’s a wonderful feeling to help others. Sometimes helping means attending a festive event to raise funds for an organization, and sometimes it’s volunteering to create fun for someone else. Whichever you prefer, here are some opportunities.
Even adults want to feel special, particularly over the holidays. Help make that happen by participating in the Alexandria House annual Holiday Toy Drive. This drive benefits more than 100 families. Alexandria House is looking for new, unused toys for kids of all ages and gift cards for teenagers and adults. Check out alexandriahouse.org/holidays for wish lists. Drop gifts off at 436 S. Alexandria Ave. between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m by Fri., Dec. 17.
The Ebell of Los Angeles Holiday Boutique is on Wed., Dec. 8 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. If you want to make a day of it, pre-order a boxed lunch at ebellofla.com to be enjoyed in the clubhouse garden. Proceeds from the boutique benefit The Ebell’s programming. The Ebell also is collecting paperback books for veterans. Drop books off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon. to Fri. at 741 S. Lucerne Blvd.
Big Sunday’s annual Holiday Party and Sing-A-Long is Sun., Dec. 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. at 6111 Melrose Ave. Each year, a diverse crew gets together to sing, eat and get festive! Big Sunday will also be collecting toys and food for hungry families at this event and throughout the month. Visit bigsunday.org.
Los Angeles Mission is looking for volunteers and items to make its Christmas event on Fri., Dec. 24 a success. A festive meal needs to be prepared and served, and gifts will be given away along with essentials to the unhoused on Skid Row. If you are interested in helping with the meal, possibly alongside a celebrity, go to losangelesmission.org. There also is a contactless drop-off center.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles is sponsoring its virtual Festival of Lights Toy & Book Drive through Wed., Dec. 15. Simply visit JewishLA.org/ToyDrive2021. You’ll find a dozen organizations that are looking for toys and books this holiday season. Each organization has its own wish list. Just click and purchase, and it’ll be sent for you. Now you’ve made a child’s holiday special!
If helping foster families is what inspires you, check out the Korean American Family Services site at kfamla.org/donate. The organization has partnered with the Asian Foster Family Initiative, and both are looking to raise money through December for their families.
FAMILY COLLECTS its holiday gifts from Karsh Center.
All kids are anxious for Santa’s arrival. By donating to the Karsh Center at Wilshire Boulevard Temple you can be someone’s Santa. Karsh is collecting new, unused toys to distribute to the community. To donate or learn more, contact Madeleine@karshcenter.org. All donations are due by Mon., Dec. 13 at 3750 W. 6th St.
Uplift Family Services’ campus will be transformed into Santa’s Workshop for a day of shopping for 250 families and needs toys and gift cards to make the day a success. Drop off donations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 5930 Gregory Ave. by Fri., Dec. 10.
Make an entire family feel special this holiday with Aviva Family and Children’s Services Adopt-A-Family. You can also sponsor a specific child. All gifts are due by Fri., Dec. 3. Visit aviva.org/2021-holiday-drive for links.
Covenant House California, which serves at-risk and homeless youth, is hosting a holiday party and is looking for new pillows, backpacks, sweatshirts and gift cards. Please drop items at 1325 N. Western Ave. by Fri., Dec. 17 or visit covenanthousecalifornia.org/Donate-Items for an Amazon Wish List with direct delivery.
Category: People