By Santa Cruz Sentinel
What: Loaves and Fishes, Watsonville
Details: Two or three bilingual volunteers needed 1-4 p.m. through Dec. 11 to help sign up families in the Pantry; three to four volunteers to help pick up toys 5:45 p.m. Dec. 17 and 5 p.m. Dec. 21; 10-15 volunteers needed Dec. 22 to help set up the “North Pole” where registered families will “shop” for their children’s toys for the holidays.
Contact: 831-319-4571 or volunteer@pvloavesandfishes.org.
What: Giving Tuesday benefits local education
Details: The Santa Cruz Education Foundation is launching two programs on Giving Tuesday. The first is its annual appeal to families and the community to support the work of the Foundation. Donors can give online at SantaCruzEducationFoundation.org. The second appeal is the launch of the second Business and Community Supporter Program. Last year the organization brought in more than $10,000 in direct donations and trade. The first $275 goes directly to Outdoor Science School, helping support every fifth-grader’s opportunity to attend Outdoor Science School.
Information: SantaCruzEducationFoundation.org.
What: Food drive at Lucky, SaveMart, FoodMaxx
Details: Through Dec. 29, the “Holiday Give. Share. Care!“ enables shoppers to donate at check-out with a coupon for $2, $3 or $5, which feeds one person breakfast, lunch or dinner, respectively. The tax-deductible contribution goes to the local food bank assigned to the store. Last year, the Holiday Giving campaign brought in more than $261,000 for three dozen food banks.
What: Adopt-a-Family with Jacob’s Heart
Details: This year Jacob’s Heart is serving 125 families, many with children who have cancer and other life-limiting diseases and some who recently lost a child to cancer or another illness. Bereaved parents and siblings need love and support, especially during the holidays. Supporters can make a donation of $200 (for a family of two or three) or $500 (for a family of four or more) or shop themselves with a list from Jacob’s Heart. Drop off gifts by Dec. 7 at 680 W. Beach St., Watsonville.
Information: 831-724-9100, michelle@jacobsheart.org or http://tinyurl.com/ops2ved.
What: KSBW Share Your Holiday benefits Salvation Army.
Details: Donate new and unwrapped toys, clothing, blankets, food, bottled water, and money at Capitola Mall, 1855 41st Ave., Capitola, and California Giant Berry Farms Cooling on Industrial Road in Watsonville during a live broadcast noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 11. Donors can go online at KSBW.com, or call the toll-free number shown during the live local television broadcast.
What: Love for the Santa Cruz homeless care packages
Details: Calli Joy Morrow and friends are trying to create care packages for the homeless this holiday season. The packages would contain items such as socks, snacks, scarves, beanies, toiletries, blankets, jackets, sweat pants, etc. The goal is to create 50 care packages, spending about $10 per care package with an overall GoFundMe goal of $550.
To contribute: gofund.me/dj9kr2es.
What: “Rockin for a Cause” concert benefiting Valley Churches United Missions.
Details: Dance the night away to the rocking music of ‘The Gravity’ band while helping Valley Churches United Missions provide food to those in need this holiday season. The benefit is 8:30-11 p.m. at Trout Farm Inn in Felton. Donation of $10 minimum to benefit VCUM at the door. In addition, 10 percent of food/drinks after 8:30 p.m. will be donated to VCUM. Canned food donations are also being accepted at Trout Farm Inn until Dec. 11.
Information: facebook.com/thegravityrocks.
What: 25th Annual BizAID for AIDS
Details: BizAid for AIDS is a fundraising campaign created in 1990 by Scott Roseman for Santa Cruz AIDS Project that runs through to Dec. 6. Businesses and organizations are asked to donate a set amount or portion of their proceeds during these 10 days to Santa Cruz AIDS Project who provides free, critical services to local people living with HIV as well as outreach to prevent the spread of disease. Community members can support this effort by patronizing participating organizations.
Information: www.scapsite.org.
What: New Leaf Community Day for Santa Cruz AIDS Project
Details: In support of the 25th Annual BizAid for AIDS campaign on Tuesday, World AIDS Day, 5 percent of the day’s sales at New Leaf Community Markets in Santa Cruz and Capitola will be donated to Santa Cruz AIDS Project. The project provides free, critical services to local people with HIV as well as outreach to prevent the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C and STDs.
Information: www.newleaf.com and www.scapsite.org.
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