It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is right around the corner.
And while a lot of you will be getting your Christmas tree, decorating the house and shopping for those on your gift list, there are others out there who don’t have the means to do those things. Some even struggle to put food on the table, let alone enjoy the luxuries that many of us take for granted.
That’s why each year, and this will be year No. 9, the Insider and the Granite United Way are partnering up to show you how you can help out.
The holiday guide to volunteering, gifts and giving provides you with a list of local and state organizations that provide services to needy people and families, who could use a little boost this time of year.
No donation is too small and no volunteering endeavor too minor. So read this over and if you can find the time or an extra bundle of money you forgot about, it might be a good idea to lend a helping hand.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire25 Lowell St., Suite 201
Manchester
Mission: Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.
Towns/Areas Served: Statewide organization, with regional offices located in Manchester, Keene, Nashua and Portsmouth.
Gift Certificates/Cards: Many of the youth we serve live in families at or below the poverty line. During the holiday season, we work to make the holidays a little brighter for families who might not otherwise be able to afford to provide gifts for their children. Mentored youth who receive gift cards are selected by our professional care management staff when they know a family is in need. Youth in the program range in age from 6-18. We would appreciate gift cards from stores including Target, Walmart, Toys R Us and iTunes. We also appreciate any grocery store or gas cards that we can share with our families in need.
Deadline to Receive Donations: Dec. 18.
Contact Information: Casey Caster, 669-5365 ext. 2232, ccaster@bbbsN.H..org
Bow Human Services
10 Grandview Road, Bow
Mission: To provide assistance for basic needs for those who do not have the resources to meet these needs and encourage community involvement.
Towns/Areas Served: Bow
Children/Teen Items: Current DVD’s, books, princess toys and super hero toys.
Adult/Senior Items: Warm gloves and mittens.
Food Basket/Food Drive Needs: Non-Perishable food items.
Gift Certificates/Cards: Gift cards to local grocery stores, gas cards, Marshalls, Payless Shoes, Target and Walmart.
Other: Our organization is seeking donations of home cleaning supplies for our newly arrived families. New mops, brooms, sponges and cleaning products will help our families keep their homes sparkling clean.
Deadline to Receive Donations: Dec. 12
Contact Information: Deb Bourbeau, 228-1187 ext. 119, creativebow@aol.com
Chichester Welfare/Police Association
54 Main St., Chichester
Delivery Address: 22 Main St., Chichester
Mission: Chichester Police Association provides a “Secret Santa Program” where anyone can apply, depending on need. Children age 0-16 receive new clothing and toys.
Towns/Areas Served: Chichester
Food Basket/Food Drive Needs: Thanksgiving basket, Christmas basket items, canned food, cereals, boxed desserts, rice, stuffing and bread.
Gift Certificates/Cards: Market Basket, Hannafords, Shaws and gas cards.
Adopt-a-Family/Individual: We will fill needs to the best of our ability according to needs as they arise. Christmas only groups can adopt families.
Other: Any monetary donations, for heat, electric, propane, wood and pet needs.
Contact Information: Donna Stockman, 798-3278, admstockmand@comcast.net.
N.H. Children’s Trust
10 Ferry St. Concord
Time: Have the neighbor’s kids over for a few hours to give parents time to reconnect and recharge.
Arms: The gift of arms means holding babies and playing with the little ones so moms and dads can take the time to do what they need to do, like grocery shopping, exercising and even showering.
Groceries: No one should ever have to worry about how they are going to feed their family. The gift of groceries means parents can have a little extra cash to put into saving or for a night out together.
Diapers: It’s amazing how many diapers an infant can go through in a week. A case of diapers keeps babies dry and parents less stressed.
Museum gift pass: Gives families something fun, interactive and enriching to do together.
Gas: Worrying about running out of gas with kids in the car is not pleasant. Give the gift of a full gas tank.
Library trip: Take a young family to the library. Introduce them to the children’s librarian and the wonderful magic of the gift of reading.
Home cooked meal: Parents can only eat dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets for so many days in a row. A home cooked meal will be so appreciated by worn out parents.
Family resource center visit: Parents aren’t always aware of what resources are available to them in their own communities. Introduce them to parenting support groups, play groups and the wealth of information a family resource center has to offer.
Encouraging words: Parenting is exhausting, confusing and frustrating at times. Being in the parents’ corner makes all the difference.
Contact Information: Keryn Bernard-Kriegl, 224- 1279
Community Bridges
70 Pembroke Road, Concord
Mission: We serve children ages birth to three, who have been identified with developmental differences or delays, providing therapy and parents support.
Towns/Areas Served: Concord, Franklin, Weare, Pittsfield, Epsom, Pembroke, Allenstown, Loudon, New London, Boscawen, Bow, Hillsboro, Warner and a few others.
Children/Teen Items: Toys (non-electronic: no lights or sound) for children age 12 months to 3 years primarily, but also 3-10. Both boys and girls. Warm coats and warm boots for children in the same age range. Any sizes can be used, but biggest need for coats and boots in 18 months to 3 years.
Food Basket/Food Drive Needs: Cereal, peanut butter, canned vegetables, macaroni and cheese, canned beans, rice, baby cereal, jarred baby food, jello/instant desert mixes, sugar, tea bags, instant coffee, pasta and sauce. General staples for families of four to six.
Gift Certificates/Cards: Local chain grocery stores so families can purchase milk, meat, bread, cheese, formula, diapers. Target, Walmart, Goodwill, Krazy Kids (or similar children’s play place) allows families to have an outing together. Gas cards allow families to get their medically involved children to the doctors appointment.
Deadline to Receive Donations: Dec. 12
Contact Information: Karen Lofgren, 226-3212 ext. 278
Fellowship Housing Opportunities, Inc.
36 Pleasant St., Concord
Mission: Provides decent, safe, affordable housing with suppose to members of our community who live with mental illness.
Towns/Areas Served: Concord
Adult/Senior Items: We are working on creating a game room for our group home and would be very appreciative of any board games, adult coloring books, colored pencils, markers and adult fiction and Harry Potter books. Craft supplies, glitter, paint, jewelry making stuff, felt, patterned paper and yarn. Men’s and women’s boots.
Food Basket/Food Drive Needs: Snack foods such as chips and pretzels, cookies and other holiday goodies at this time of year.
Gift Certificates/Cards: iTunes, track phone minute cards, local restaurants, many of our residents have very limited incomes.
Other: We traditionally hold a holiday party in between Thanksgiving and Christmas for our residents, tenants and staff. Having a “performer” come in to entertain would add a lot to the festivities – such as a magician or musician, etc.
Deadline to Receive Donations: Dec. 25 (but welcome donations throughout the season).
Contact Information: Natalie Moser, 225-1767, nmoser@fellowshiphousing.org
Website: fellowshiphousing.org
Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire
15 Shawmut St., Concord
Mission: Inspiring young girls to be strong, smart and bold.
Towns/Areas Served: Concord, Manchester and Nashua.
Children/Teen Items: We are looking for arts and craft supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils, construction paper, paint, etc.) and shoes (boots and sneakers) of all sizes.
Deadline to Receive Donations: Dec. 16
Contact Information: Makenzie Bilodeau, 223-0087, mbilodeau@girlsincnewhampshire.org
Hope for N.H. Recovery85 S. State St., Concord
Mission: Hope for N.H. Recovery is a grass roots community based non-profit. Our recovery community centers in Concord and Franklin and throughout the state provide a venue for healthy, drug and alcohol free, socializations and supports for individuals and their families through all stages of recovery.
Towns/Areas Served: Concord and Franklin
Adult/Senior Items: Recoveree’s are in desperate need of hats, gloves, scarves, umbrellas, rain coats, winter coats and winter boots for men and woman. Many recoverees are on foot to all their treatment, health and recovery appointments. Warm clothes really help. Recoverees in our centers are also in need of personal hygiene items, shampoo, toothpaste, soap and laundry soap.
Food Basket/Food Drive Needs: Hope Recovery Center and our recoveree’s in the centers are in great need of healthy and not so healthy snacks and drinks. (Healthy snack bars, chips, Cheez-It, pretzels, anything nonperishable). Also members that are in very early recovery crave chocolate and sugar which dulls cravings. Bottled water, juice, tea etc. keeps recoverees’ hydrated. In addition, Hope is always in need of paper plates, cups, silverware, for our “All Recovery Meetings” where serving food and snacks is a big part. Donated items will be distributed to recoveree’s in both centers.
Gift Certificates/Cards: Any gift certificate that gives recoverees an opportunity to participate in sober activities in Concord and Franklin areas. (Bowling, movies, rock climbing, gym memberships, yoga lessons, music lessons, art lessons, theater tickets, laser tag, bounce house, dinner tickets, gas cards and grocery cards.) Cards will be distributed by the staff to the appropriate recoverees at the centers.
Other: Both centers have a popular group called “Arts in Recovery.” Hope Centers in Franklin and Concord need art supplies such as poster board, construction paper, crayons, markers, colorful sharpies, pain, paint brushes, craft material and yarn.
Contact Information: Kimberly Shepard, 715-9893, kimberly.shepard@recoverynh.org
Merrimack Valley Day Care Service
19 N. Fruit St., Concord
Mission: Since 1967 we have provided child care to children ages 6-14 years old at five centers in the Concord area. We prioritize care to those with the greatest need; children at risk of abuse and neglect, low income families and children with special needs.
Towns/Areas Served: Greater Concord area
Children/Teen Items: We often receive toy donations for our younger children, but much less for the older children. Any sort of young teen toy items would be appreciated, including board games, puzzles, art supplies, popular books, journals, etc. Also, teen sized clothing would be appreciated, especially socks and underwear.
Gift Certificates/Cards: Grocery store gift cards are hugely helpful for our parents, many of whom are food insecure. Any amount would be appreciated and can help out parents stock up on needed pantry items.
Deadline to Receive Donations: Dec. 19
Contact Information: Marianne Barter, 224-1632, mariannebarter@yahoo.com
Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services57 Regional Drive, Unit D, Concord
Mission: We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the N.H. Deaf and Hard of Hearing community through empowerment, education and advocacy for equal access and opportunity.
Towns/Areas Served: All of New Hampshire
Gift Certificates/Cards: Toy store/entertainment gift cards. (ToysRUs, movie theater, etc.) Market Basket, Hannafords, Shaws, Target, Walmart, Kmart and gas gift cards.
Other: We also accept cash/check/credit card donations and will use the money to purchase gift cards based on needs.
Contact Information: Paul Baravella, 224-1850, pbaravella@ndhhs.org
The Friendly KitchenP.O. Box 373
2 S. Commercial St., Concord
Mission: The Friendly Kitchen seeks to provide a meal for the hungry in a warm and caring non-discriminating environment through the coordination of community volunteer resources.
Towns/Areas Served: Concord
Children/Teen Items: This year we would like to give each of our guest a gift bag with a pair of waterproof thinsulate gloves, a fleece neck warmer, a fleece hat and warm socks (not wool). Donations of items for children and teens would help us make this happen.
Adult/Senior Items: This year we would like to give each of our guests a gift bag with a pair of waterproof thinsulate gloves, a fleece neck warmer, a fleece hat and warm socks (not wool). Donations of items for adults and seniors would help us make this happen.
Deadline to Receive Donations: Dec. 16
Contact Information: Jennifer Lombardo, 224-7678, jenn@thefriendlykitchen.org
N.H. Association for the Blind
25 Walker St., Concord
Mission: N.H. Association for the Blind transforms the lives of individuals with sight loss through education, training and support.
Towns/Areas Served: Statewide.
Donations: Monetary donations provide much needed rehabilitation and adaptive aids and devices for N.H. residents living with blindness or vision loss.
Deadline to receive donations: Dec. 31
