This story originally appeared on MLive.
The Holiday Wish List is back.
The wish list is a way to help the less fortunate in Genesee County by matching donors with organizations that provide assistance to people throughout the year.
From coats to power tools, the list has a wide range of ways that people can help those who help others.
The United Way of Genesee County Volunteer Center coordinates the Holiday Wish List effort and has the needs of 24 organizations that help people in the community. The list will also be published in The Flint Journal.
Donors should call the individual organizations with the contact information included in the listings.
All items should be donated by Dec. 21.
Please contact United Way Volunteer Coordinator Rachel Wenzlick at 810-762-5823 with any additional questions.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint
Provides youth ages 7-17 a safe haven during off school hours that offers programming to help them focus on positive healthy, lifestyle choices.
Contact: Amber Miller, 810-249-3413
Needs: MTA bus passes, Chapstick, new winter hats, gloves, scarves, boots, jackets and basketball shorts. They also need Kleenex, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, new board games, arts and craft supplies, flash drives, DVD movies rated PG-13 and better, pencils, pens, markers, headphones and backpacks.
Weiss– Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteer Program
Ensures children’s needs are met while in foster care by doing weekly visits and meeting with the child’s school, doctor, therapist, and caseworker. Children with a Court Appointed Special Advocate are three times more likely to graduate high school than foster kids who are not.
Contact: Jean Douglas, 810-238-3333 ext. 4
Needs: Single wrapped snacks, juice boxes, canned soda, half & half cups, K cups, lunch sponsors, tickets to events for children, handheld games, batteries, copy paper, 1″ and 2″ binders, address labels, swiffer pads, dishwasher liquid, laundry detergent, hand soap, toilet paper, paper towel, sanitizing wipes, tissues, wood cleaner, large area rugs, 50-72″ by 63″ curtains, 6″ plastic folding tables.
Services needed: Replacement of poster above Clement Moore fireplace.
Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee Counties
Provides help and creates hope for vulnerable members of our community since 1941. Offering health and human services ranging from food, clothing, personal needs and a warming center, to three soup kitchens, recovery treatment and job assistance.
Contact: Mary Stevenson, 810-232-9950 ext. 228
Needs: Bath towels, washcloths, bus passes (100), toilet paper, hats, scarves, gloves (especially men’s gloves), canned vegetables, canned tomato products, canned fruit, pasta, unwrapped gifts for older children, kitchenware.
Christ Enrichment Center
Operates Family Literacy Program, Summer Day Camp, and provides basic needs support through weekly food and water distributions.
Contact: Toni Smith, 810-239-9425
Needs: Fifty two-punch MTA bus passes, toilet paper, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, garbage bags, cleaning towels, changing table, pack-n-play, feminine hygiene products, toiletries, 2″ notebooks, 2-pocket folders, regular/fat pencils, 2016 daily planners, pens, markers, tape, card stock paper, washable paint, stapler, one divider partition folders, liquid bleach, paper towel, 3130 Dell ink cartridges, Hewlett Packard 74/75 ink cartridges, Kyocera Mita KM 2530 ink cartridges, AA batteries, small buckets.
Church without Walls
Provides services outside of church walls to reach, connect and help strengthen and empower local residents, youth and families in the most need through supportive services and a network of caring partners.
Contact: Alicia, 810-238-7000
Needs: Food and personal boxes to provide at least 50 needy families. The church also needs t-shirts, sweatshirts, socks, toiletries, tissues, paper towel, laundry detergent, white/color copy paper, conference room table and chairs, MTA bus passes, gas cards and family transportation.
Communities First Inc.
Provides affordable housing, economic development, arts/culture outreach, and environmental programs.
Contact: Glenn Wilson, 810-422-5358
Needs: Copy paper, letter-size manila folders, hanging folders, office supplies, school supplies, stamps, 950/951 HP ink, sticky easel pads, green cleaning supplies, auction items, gift cards, commercial color copy machine, conference room table, office furniture, Keurig, refrigerator, microwave, generator, carpet cleaner, safe.
Services needed: Cleaning and maintenance, carpet and upholstery cleaning, exterior painting, printing, graphic design, event planning, Porta-Potties and tents for events, website maintenance/updates, legal, architectural and interior design.
Ennis Center for Children
Licensed child placement agency that provides foster care, adoption and support services for children and families.
Contact: Sheery Houston, 810-233-4031
Needs: New coats, hats, gloves, boots, car seats, booster seats, toiletries, diapers, wipes.
Family Service Agency
Provides representative, payee and guardianship services.
Contact: Violet Couture, 810-767-4014 ext. 413
Needs: Items for 200 men and women including MTA bus passes, gloves, hats, scarves, toiletries.
The Flint Children’s Museum
Provides hands-on informal learning for early childhood.
Contact: Kimberly Roddy; 810-767-KIDS (5437)
Needs: Packaging tape, 10- to 20-pound mounting tape, tissues, hand sanitizer, standard business size envelopes, card envelopes, scotch tape, tape dispenser, adult scissors, staples, erasers, golf pencils, letter and legal sized white paper, sticky notes, pencil sharpeners, sharpies, crafting stickers, craft foam sheets, children’s fabric costumes, children’s play grocery store items, children’s toys ages 2-10 (games, puzzles, books, puppets), holiday lights/decorations, seasonal and holiday flowers/decorations, 20-inch flat screen television for children’s programs, baby monitor, 5 oz cups, ziplock baggies, garbage bags, paper plates, plastic utensils, napkins, paper towels, DeWalt 18v battery charger, 18v batteries, tools for building exhibits.
Flint River Watershed Coalition
Conducts water quality monitoring, youth watershed education, and provides outdoor recreation opportunities.
Contact: Rebecca Fedewa, Executive Director, 810-767-9559 or rfedewa@flintriver.org
Needs: First aid kits, eye wash kits, nitrile rubber gloves, safety glasses, 70-precent isopropyl rubbing alcohol, sunscreen, bug spray, magnifying glasses, chest/hip waders, vest style life jackets, kayak paddles, kayak trailer, copy paper, manila folders, clip boards, folding tables, insulated water cooler, 5-gallon buckets, stadium chairs, canopy tent for events.
Friends of Berston Field House
Provides youth and adult programming.
Contact: Bryant Nolden, 810-252-5170
Needs: Toilet paper, paper towel, garbage bags, liquid bleach, building cleaning supplies, bicycles and safety equipment, new gym clothes, towels, sports water bottles, new boxing and exercise equipment, gas gift cards, new sports equipment.
Genesee County Habitat for Humanity
Provides community and neighborhood development through new construction and rehabilitation of homes, home-ownership Education, and home-owner occupied repair.
Contact: Juan Zuniga, 810-766-9089 ext.206
Needs: Construction tools, tool kits, tools for homeowners, yard tools, office supplies.
Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
Help girls mature into healthy, productive citizens by developing and promoting leadership and behavioral skills. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience includes Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) programming, anti-bullying programs, outdoor education, community service, and many other opportunities that inspire girls to become leaders in their community.
Contact: Kenya James, 313-870-2562
Needs: Mentors for girls in Genesee County to: facilitate one-day badge workshop to teach girls about your hobby or career, facilitate a 6-8 week journey, businesses to offer informative tours for the scouts, office and meeting supplies: copy paper, craft paper, pens, colored markers, glue sticks, tape, staples, paper clips, binder clips, staples, manila folders, etc.
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan
Nonprofit civil law firm that provides legal assistance in the areas of housing, domestic relations, public benefits, elder, and consumer. Potential clients can call 800-322-4512.
Contact: Jill Nylander, 810-234-2621 ext. 126
Needs: Twenty-five bus passes, new/gently used children’s books, computer keyboards and mice, sturdy desks, bookshelves and office chairs.
Motherly Intersession
Works to break the cycle of inter-generational incarceration, ensure academic success, and save the lives of children with incarcerated parents.
Contact: Lisa Mayes, 810-424-9909
Needs: From Mom Christmas Project gifts for distribution to children ages 0-18 whose mothers will be spending Christmas in jail. New items only of non-violent toys, board and handheld games, dolls, arts and crafts, educational gifts, socks, underwear, hats, mittens, gloves, scarfs and coats. The agency also needs gift cards, white copy paper and 30-gallon commercial strength garbage bags.
Oak Street Senior Apartments Inc.
Provides programs and services for residents of Oak Street Senior Apartments.
Contact: Glenn Wilson, 810-422-5358
Needs: Gift cards, board games, puzzles, movies, art and craft supplies, exercise DVDs, fleece or tie blankets, 26 pedometers, toiletries, nonperishable food items, bottled water, green cleaning supplies, laundry soap, bottled water, 15-seat passenger van, printer, utility cart, carts to move groceries and laundry, patio furniture, raised garden beds, locking outdoor tool shed.
Services needed: Carpet and upholstery cleaning, general cleaning.
RAISE IT UP! Youth Arts & Awareness
Promotes youth engagement, expression, and empowerment through art, performance, and social justice initiatives. Hosts school assemblies, art workshops, after-school programs, and youth-led community events such as open mics, poetry slams, and readings.
Contact: Lyndava Williams, 810-394-3113 or lyndava@raiseitupyouth.org.
Needs: Arts and crafts supplies, digital media and sound equipment including digital cameras, laptops, microphones, speakers, music stands, journals, office supplies and MTA bus passes.
REACH/Traverse Place
Youth shelter with counseling programs for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth 10-21 years of age.
Contact: Connie Tacey, Building Operations, 810-341-6328 or Jim Perlaki, Program Coordinator 810-341-6328
Needs: Ten movie passes, 10 fast food gift cards, 10 sporting event tickets, 10 gas cards, two state park annual passes, eight laundry baskets, eight alarm clocks, eight twin bed sheet sets, eight pillows, eight sets of pots and pan sets, two electric hand mixers, four silverware sets, four dish sets, four blow dryers, hand calculators, board games and sports balls.
Shelter of Flint
Integrates programs and services with safe, affordable housing to help low-income and homeless individuals and families achieve independence and stability. Programs include outreach, emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, supportive services and housing units.
Contact: Nicole or Liz, 810-238-4711 ext. 305 or email contacts at sof@shelterofflint.org
Needs: Toiletries, feminine hygiene products, disposable diapers, wipes, baby bottles, pacifiers, formula, socks, slippers, linens, pillows, strollers, car seats, household cleaning supplies, small appliances including toasters, can opener and blenders, dishes, silverware, pots and pans, air mattresses, MTA bus passes and adopt a family Christmas gifts for families in the shelter.
The Chosen Few Arts Council
Works to fill the void in high quality arts instruction for youth and adults in Genesee County.
Contact: Valorie Horton, 810-610-6673
Needs: Art supplies, all-purpose drawing paper, pastels, colored pencils, construction paper, clay, glaze, 6 tables, 64 folding chairs and an electric kiln.
The Salvation Army of Genesee County
Provides basic emergency social services such as utility assistance, eviction prevention, water bill assistance, bus passes, basic needs, seasonal assistance for needy families, nursing home visitation, emergency disaster services, and alcohol/substance abuse treatment.
Contact: Capt. Caleb Senn, Regional Coordinator, (810) 232-2199
Needs: MTA bus passes, toiletries, toys, gifts and games for children, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, socks, underwear, diapers, children’s clothing.
WOW Community Outreach
Provides a support network through collaboration and partnerships with youth and families living in urban communities who are in need of mentorship, leadership, and supportive services.
Contact: Marcus Rankins, 810-789-7700
Needs: Toiletries, laundry detergent, white and color copy paper, inspirational journal books, gift cards as appreciation for volunteers, all size plain t-shirts, conference room table/chairs, multi-purpose office copier, white and color copy paper, HP Envy 4500 and Epson workforce WF-7610 ink, gently used van.
Youth Karate-Ka Association
Encourages and provides a place for at risk youth to be trained and educated in the martial arts and healthy life choices.
Contact: Dora King, 810-785-5505
Needs: Office supplies including paper, binders, ink cartridges and folders, organic seeds, hoses, hoes, wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, 50 yards compost/top soil mix, storage shed for farm equipment.
YWCA – Safe house
Provides safe, protective shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and necessary supportive services for battered women and their children to move them toward self-sufficiency, independence, and freedom from abuse.
Contact: Trina Sanders, 810-238-7621 ext.326
Needs:
Babies: pack-n-plays, baby wipes, bottles, formula, pacifiers, sleepwear, bath, lotions, shampoo.
Female teens: Toiletries, undergarments, bras, t-shirts, coats, hats, gloves.
General needs for men, women and children: Undergarments, coats, hats, gloves, t-shirts, socks, toiletries, hairspray, gel, African American hair supplies, perfume, make-up, nail polish, towels, Meijer/Walmart gift cards to purchase these items.
