The holiday season is a time of giving. Shoppers bustle through stores looking for that perfect gift for a loved one, family member or friend. But what about those less fortunate this time of year?
Tooele has several community, church and other civic groups that join efforts to bring a piece of Christmas to everyone in the community — especially those who have been hit hard by the economic downturn and may not otherwise be able to experience a normal holiday this year.
The community is also full of organizations that do good daily, from serving the homeless and the hungry to touching the lives of those in need. These organizations are dependent on the goodwill of the community for volunteers with time, money and other resources to keep them going.
As the number of people needing help continues to increase this year, perhaps you can help. Maybe you can put a part of your shopping budget toward a need in the community, or instead of giving a gift to a friend or family member, send a card that explains: “Your gift this year is knowing that somewhere in Tooele a homeless child is wearing a new warm coat this winter.”
While not an all-inclusive list, here are some of the organizations in Tooele County you can donate to this holiday season.
Tooele Transcript-Bulletin Christmas Benefit Fund
Provides a cash donation to a family nominated by the community that is facing hardship this Christmas season. Cash donations may be sent to Christmas Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 390, Tooele, UT 84074 or dropped off at the Transcript-Bulletin office at 58 N. Main Street in Tooele.
Operation Christmas
Operation Christmas, coordinated by Tooele Valley Community Cooperative, matches families with needs for Christmas with families, businesses and employee groups that want to sponsor a family. Sponsors provide gifts for the children and meal for the family. Call 843-4762 for information about sponsoring a family. Call 843-4780 if you know a family that needs assistance.
Toys for Tots
Collection of new toys for needy children. Collection boxes can be found at Family Dollar, Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, Maurices, Albertsons, and Macey’s Food and Drug.
Children’s Justice Center
The Children’s Justice Center provides a warm, child-friendly atmosphere for the interviewing of potential victims of child abuse.
The Tooele Children’s Justice Center will also help provide Christmas for 90 children this year. To assist with a family call the CJC at 843-3440.
Tooele County Food Bank
The food bank is preparing boxes for Christmas dinner that will include three cans corn, three cans green beans, three cans mixed fruit, two cans evaporated milk, one can yams, instant mashed potatoes, one Jell-O box, one can pie filling, one container peanut butter, and a turkey or ham.
Individuals or groups are welcome to donate items for the boxes or prepare complete boxes. Year-round the food bank is in need of canned and dried food items such as soups, vegetables, chili, peanut butter, fruits, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti sauces, canned meats, rice, tomato products, dry milk, cooking oil, mustard, ketchup, jam/jelly, flour and salt.
The food bank can also use donations of new socks and underwear.
Cash donations may be made to the food bank by sending a check made out to Tooele Valley Community Cooperative, attention Cheryl Adams, Tooele County Building, 47 S. Main Street, Tooele, UT 84074. Please indicate on the check that it is for the food bank.
Food donations may be brought directly to the food bank at 38 S. Main Street in Tooele.
Tooele City Animal Shelter
The Tooele City Animal Shelter needs donations of cat litter, canned cat food, dry cat food, and dry dog food. Cash donations are used for vaccination and emergency treatment of animals.
Donations may be brought or mailed to the animal shelter at 3312 N. 1200 West in Erda. For more information contact Debra Bush at 882-4607.
Pet Care Cupboard
The pet care cupboard provides food and pet care items for needy families. Donations needed include dry or canned dog food and litter. Donations may be taken to the Tooele County Food Bank at 38 S. Main Street in Tooele.
American Legion Post 17
American Legion Post 17 collects old cell phones and turns them into AT&T, which then gives the Legion phone cards that can be given to soldiers who are serving abroad.
Old cell phones may be dropped off at the Tooele National Guard Armory, 16 S. First Street in Tooele.
Baby Care Cupboard
The baby care cupboard is located at the Tooele County Food Bank and is sponsored by the Tooele Kiwanis Club. It provides baby care items such as diapers, wipers, baby lotion and powder, and new baby blankets that are not covered by food stamps and the W.I.C. program. Donations of these items are accepted at the Tooele County Food Bank.
Tooele County Relief Services
Tooele County Relief Services provides assistance to the homeless in the community, including families and individuals who are temporarily displaced by economic or other hardships.
Contribution and service ideas suggested include making children’s blankets, coloring books, board games, bus tokens, disposable razors, tents, sleeping bags, gas cards, help with home repairs and cleaning supplies. Contact Relief Services at 830-7953 about sack lunches, cleaning kits, shelter kits, and clothing donations. Relief Services is also found at 38 S. Main Street in Tooele.
Cash donations may be made to Relief Services by sending a check made out to Tooele Valley Community Cooperative, attention Cheryl Adams, Tooele County Building, 47 S. Main Street, Tooele, UT 84974. Please indicate on the check that it is for relief services.
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