Help Bay Area Families in Need This Holiday Season

By Natalie Quinan, mommy to Shane (almost 5 yrs old) ~ Aspen Class

After a recent play date, I surveyed the devastation around our house and in particular my son’s room. Five boys in any small space can create fun chaos and quite a mess. Every toy box had been overturned and their contents strewn out about the room. We were so grateful when mommies and kids were thoughtful in helping with the clean up. But, that’s when it hit me. I realized I couldn’t even see the floor, as the toy piles were so dense, they blocked out the carpeting. We have too many toys. How many does any one kid need to be happy? Do we really need the entire Thomas the Train collection with working bridges and sound effects? My son Shane had the same realization.

So we decided to do something about it.

I shared with him that some little boys and girls are sad because they don’t have toys, food, a house; and some don’t even have a mom and dad. The look in his big brown eyes was of concern and sadness. Then he declared, “well, mommy this is an emergency! I have a solution! I can give them my toys! I want to go and share!” And there it is folks! I was so proud. He got the lesson of giving.

So together we just cleaned out his toy chests (which were bursting at the seams) and I asked him to point out the toys he still loves. We went from toy bin to toy bin in his room, plus a toy chest located in our living room, and made two piles: an “I Love Pile” and an “I Could Do Without Pile.” Suffice to say, the “I Could Do Without” pile was pretty big.

We’re now ready to deliver our “gifts of fun” to several needy organizations.

Shane told me that his heart “got so big” and I looked at him and told him that mine did too. It feels good to share.

Since, I’m not an expert, I have included a few links on great articles about lessons in giving and how it creates confidence and compassion in a child.

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/lessons-in-giving/

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/share-your-thoughts-the-gift-of-giving

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/raising-a-caring-and-compassionate-child

If you would like to take this opportunity to teach your child about giving and kindness, please find a list below of Bay Area non-profits that could use toys and other donations. Marin charities have been and continue to be blessed by its generous Marinite community. However, many Bay Area non-profits (in SF & the East Bay) have a resounding need for food, coats and blankets.

Please know that it is always best to call before dropping off any donation to confirm the current needs and that every item must be in very good condition and clean.

BANANAS, Contact prior to donation drop off. Likes getting high quality children's items, including clean stuffed animals, games, toys, etc… that they distribute to home day-care facilities (most of which operate on a very low budget), as well as needy families. 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland, CA 94618. (510) 658- 7353 * www.bananasinc.org

Bay Area Women's and Children's Center services families, children, women, esp. in Tenderloin Please call in advance to arrange a drop off time and confirm items to donate. They will accept women's and baby/children's clothing and small household items. (415) 474-2400, 318 Leavenworth, San Francisco, CA 94102 www.bawcc.org

Books for the Barrios, accepts clean stuffed animals, children's books, games, puzzles, art materials, and working computers. This organization has sent over 9 million books to the most remote areas or “barrios” of the Philippines. 2350 Whitman Rd, Suite D, Concord 94518 * Phone is 925 687 7707 * www.booksforthebarrios.org.

Compass Community Services, a homeless shelter, family resource center, early childhood education/childcare, and other services for families desperately needs: Diapers, travel sized toiletries, new socks and underwear for children & adults, arts & crafts supplies, canned and other non-perishable items. 
WISH LIST: www.compass-sf.org/get-involved/donation-wishlist Please see website link for more information and for questions, contact them through a form available on their website: www.compass-sf.org * 995 Market St. San Francisco, CA

Help a Mother Out, dedicated to increasing access to diapers for families in need. Diaper "bank" is located in San Francisco and provides diapers to over 22 agencies in the Bay Area. Drop off location for diapers and wipes: Natural Resources (1367 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA) www.helpamotherout.org

Holy Family Day Home, provides affordable, high-quality early educational childcare in a stable and nurturing environment. Desperately needs range from diapers, toys & educational supplies, clothes, dry goods/non perishable items. Drop off times are between 10am-3pm M-F, they ask to call ahead to confirm. WISH LIST: www.holyfamilydayhome.org/getinvolved/wishlist.html * 299 Dolores Street, 415-861-5361

Koret House, is a
home away from home for families of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by providing physical comfort and emotional support, free from financial concerns. Needs are mainly household and food items. Contact: (415) 476-8321 or (415) 514-6660 to discuss or arrange donation.
WISH LIST: http://www.familyhouseinc.org/?p=wishlist

Oakland Children's Hospital donations of toys and supplies help supplement the activities and entertainment provided to the patients of Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland. Especially needed items are for teens and babies and they primarily accept NEW items that have been in a smoke-free environment. They will accept gently used books and DVDs (rated PG-13 and under) for their Red Book Cart program. Both inpatients and outpatients (in the waiting areas) can read the books while in the hospital, and if they like the book, they’re welcome to keep it. For more information and to schedule a delivery call (510) 428-3471, Extension 2, or visit http://childrenshospitaloakland.org/join/join_other-donations.asp

St. Anthony Foundation, accepts toys, clean stuffed animals, clothing, furniture and housewares 1185 Mission Street (at 8th Street)
415-241-2600 www.stanthonysf.org

Women's Daytime Drop-in Center at 2218 Acton St., Berkeley, 548-2884. Offers services for homeless women and their kids. They can come during the day and get showers, meals, counseling, and a supportive, warm place off the streets. They manage to get some of their clients into homes and jobs. Call them first and see if they can use your kids' stuff. They recently added a playroom/classroom.