Ways To Give: Holiday Wish Lists By Brooke Vaughan Schroeder Can you believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone?! Amid the food and companionship, Thanksgiving is a time to pause and give thanks for so many blessings. As we look ahead to the holiday season there are many opportunities in Williamson County to share your blessings with others in need. Help make wishes come true by joining one of the local agencies’ campaigns listed below to provide warm meals and gifts for the whole family. Your kindness and generosity can provide a joyful holiday and precious memories that will last a lifetime! Williamson County Child Advocacy Center (www.williamsoncountycac.org) combats child abuse by coordinating services to children and their families in crisis and providing community education focused on prevention and early intervention. Help this season by supporting the 4th Annual Christmas Treasures Toy Drive, serving local children in need who have suffered severe physical or sexual abuse. Toy drive wish list: New, unwrapped gifts or gift cards (Wal-Mart, Target, Kroger and Publix); for children under 18, monetary donations also will be gratefully accepted Other agency needs: Copy paper Postage stamps Toilet paper, paper towels NEW stuffed animals Wal-Mart or Target gift cards Staples or Office Depot gift cards Hygiene items for children such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, child-size toothbrushes, hair brushes & combs Juice boxes Individually packaged snacks New or used diaper disposal and diaper disposal refill bags Filing cabinets Bookshelf Holiday donations should be dropped off by Dec. 8 at the WCCAC office at 330 Mallory Station Road, Suite 21 in Franklin. For further information, call 615.778.0757. Graceworks Ministries (www.graceworksministries.net) is a local non-profit ministry that focuses on providing physical, emotional, spiritual, material and referral services to those in need while helping them break the cycle of dependency on government assistance (not all are receiving government support). Graceworks provides Christmas for approximately 700 needy families offering food baskets and opportunities to Christmas shop for family members at the store, “The Manger.” Food basket aid: Sponsor an entire Christmas meal for a single adult or several families. Food baskets range from $40 for a single adult to $120 for a large family. If interested, contact Dina Wallis, Christmas Coordinator at 615.794.9055.   Manger wish list: Gifts for the entire family – from infants to the elderly, but the greatest need is for teenagers and men. Gifts should be new and cost $10-$20. Gifts should be taken to the Manger location which is still to be determined. Call 615.794.9055 or visit www.graceworksministries.net/christmas.htm as the holidays approach to find out where the manager will be this year. United Way of Williamson County (www.uwwc.org) is a non-profit organization committed to bringing together people and organizations to create a community where individuals, families and neighborhoods thrive. As it supports partner agencies’ efforts, United Way has year-round general needs. General needs: Movie passes Toiletry items Small gift cards to grocery stores, drug stores and shopping centers like Wal-mart and Target Basic office supplies or gift card to Staples, Office Depot or Office Max Drop off items to the United Way of Williamson County, located at 209 Gothic Court Suite 107, Franklin, TN 37067. For more information, call 615.771.2312. WAVES (www.wavesinc.com) is a community organization that enables individuals with developmental disabilities to progress toward their full potential. The Early Intervention Program is for children experiencing delays in speech/language, motor, social, cognitive or other leaning skills. This holiday season Waves is selling 11” x 17” (open) 2008 wall calendars as a fundraiser to support the Waves Recreation Therapy Program. The calendar includes winners from last year’s art competition sponsored by Waves and the Arts Council of Williamson County. Calendars cost $15 each (plus $2 shipping) and can be purchased several ways: the Web site, www.wavesinc.com, by telephone, 615.794.7955, or at the Waves offices located at 125 5th Avenue South in Franklin. General wish list items: Baby wipes Table games, puzzles, Lego blocks, Play Doh Craft supplies, black pens, sticky notes Four good wheelchairs Disposable cameras   Batteries – 9V & AAA Night lights & bulbs Address book Kitchen: Place mats for the table (4), canisters for the kitchen, cast iron skillet, pots and pans, plastic dinnerware, freezer & storage bags (quart & gallon), 13 gal. trash bags Cleaning items: toilet paper, paper towels, dishwasher detergent, dish detergent Toiletries including: shampoos, deodorant, liquid hand soap Coffee (reg. & decaf.), filters and tea bags (reg. & decaf.) Drop off items to Waves Inc., 125 Fifth Avenue South, Franklin, TN 37064. For more information, call 615.794.7955. Boys and Girls Club of Franklin/Williamson County (www.bgcfwc.org) is a local organization that provides young people with responsible adult guidance, solid educational support programs and structured recreational activities. This holiday you can help by participating in the “adopt an angel program” (children ages 5-18) or by providing snacks for the extended-day program. Adopt an Angel program: Adopt an angel and provide no more than three gifts (under $75 total). Available angels are listed on the Web site www.bgcfwc.org. Gifts must be delivered to Denise Carothers or a pickup arranged Dec. 17-19. To arrange pickup or delivery of your gift call Denise at 615.794.4800. General needs: Snacks including peanut butter crackers, fruit, juice boxes etc. Drop off at the Boys and Girls Club, 129 W Fowlkes Street Suite 1000, Franklin, TN 37064. The Boys Club of Middle Tennessee (www.bgcmt.org) helps support all area clubs and especially needs: 1. School clothes of various sizes including: white and navy collared shirts, navy blue, black or khaki pants and skirts 2. School supplies 3. Financial assistance for the college tour program, exposing more than 50 children (ages 13 and up) to colleges and the possibilities beyond. This spring break trip helps children to dream big and achieve. For more information call 615.425.7016. Send all clothing and school supplies to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, P.O. Box 110268, Nashville, TN 37222. The Arc of Williamson County (www.thearcofwilliamsoncounty.org) is an advocacy group for individuals with disabilities committed to securing for all people with mental retardation or other disabilities the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they live, learn, work and play. Year-round needs: Gas cards to help individuals get to and from doctor and therapy appointments Gift cards from Walgreeens, Bi-Rite, CVS, etc. to assist individuals with paying for medicine co-pays, over the counter medications, medical supplies including disposable gloves and adult briefs Financial assistance to help individuals pay for hearing aids and accessories Financial assistance to help families pay for much needed respite care Drop off items year round to The Arc Office, at 129 W Fowlkes Street, Suite 151, Franklin, TN 37064. For more information, call 615.790.5815. BRIDGES of Williamson County (www.bridgesofwilliamsoncounty.com) is a domestic violence shelter serving area women and children traumatized by domestic violence, ensuring a safe transition to successful independent community living through education, intervention and case management. Year-round needs: Target, Wal-mart and Kroger gift cards Telephone calling cards Gift certificates for entertainment or dining (movies, JumpZone, etc.) Kid Stop gift certificates (Watson Glen) White towels Kitchen: Large Contractor Garbage Bags, Paper Towels The Secret DVD DVD player Office supplies: HP 92 printer ink cartridges, copy paper Postage stamps Call to make drop off arrangements or take to the United Way of Williamson County, located at 209 Gothic Court Suite 107, Franklin 37067. For more information call 615.599-5777. Mercy Children's Clinic (www.MercyChildrensClinic.org) is a faith-based clinic in downtown Franklin that provides health care to patients enrolled in TennCare or without insurance. This December you can help fulfill holiday wishes by providing gifts for patients, families and community members through two different holiday campaigns. Operation Mercy Child is the in-house Angle Tree program established for all MCC clients and their children to experience the magic of Christmas. Adopt a family, provide gifts for each member ($25-$50 a person) and personally deliver them. This wonderful experience is meant to do more than just provide gifts but to also build relationships. Contact Meghan at 615.790.0567 x 241 before Dec. 18 if interested in participating and she will match you with a family and give you their wish list items, which include clothing, item of choice and a gift card to provide a holiday meal. A Christmas to Remember is a special festival MCC holds for the local community each year providing food, music, games and a visit from Santa to needy children. The event highlights the true meaning of Christmas and is still in need of assistance. MCC is looking for donations of new, unwrapped toys for all ages, bags of candy, volunteers and two inflatable games for the kids to enjoy. The event is scheduled for Dec. 9, so contact Meghan if you can help. Year-round needs: Disposable diapers (all sizes) Baby bottles Baby wipes New underwear- boys & girls (all sizes) Clothes for boys (18 months to 7 yrs. old) Gas cards (BP, Shell, etc) - $10 increments Gift cards (Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, Kroger) - $10 increments Gift cards to the Parent Teacher Store Memory stick for Sony camera (memory stick duo) Pacifiers Pull ups The Complete Marriage & Family Guide by James Dobson Scott Sells – parent survival kit For a complete list of office supplies and medical needs visit: www.mercychildrensclinic.org/support_us/clinic_wish_list.htm. Drop off year-round items to Mercy Children’s Clinic, 112 Ninth Avenue South, Franklin, TN 37064. The Salvation Army (www.salarmy-nashville.org) is a religious charitable organization created to meet the needs of human suffering. Their most widely known holiday campaign is The Angel Tree Program which began in Nashville in 1979, providing gifts for children (newborn to 12 years old), anyone with disabilities and senior citizens (65 and older). To adopt an angel, visit one of the four area malls, Green Hills, Hickory Hollow, Cool Springs Galleria or Rivergate, and locate the Salvation Army Angel Tree to select your angel. All tags tell you the person’s name, age, a need they have and a wish list item. After the gifts are purchased, return them to the same spot by Dec. 1. If you miss the deadline, you can also participate in the “forgotten angel program,” providing gifts for those who didn’t get to participate in the angel tree program or didn’t have their gifts returned. To participate, visit any Dailey’s convenience store location, select a tag and deliver your gift(s) back to the same store location by Dec. 14. For additional information, contact Amanda Grieves at 615.242.0411 x238. Williamson County Red Cross (www.williamsoncountyredcross.org) provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Red Cross provides immediate emergency assistance such as clothing, food, shelter, medicine, etc., for people affected by disasters like home fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous material spills, transportation accidents, explosions and other natural and man-made disasters. Red Cross services provide basic human needs to individuals and families affected by disasters. This season and year-round their greatest needs remain: Blood – “the gift of life.” For blood drive dates and locations, visit www.williamsoncountyredcross.org/give%20blood.htm. For more information, call 615.790.5785. Download article in pdf format.