LAKE COUNTY— As Christmas nears, organizations throughout Lake County need help providing those less fortunate with food, gifts or monetary contributions.
Many of Lake County seniors are homebound, according to Joyce Overton, executive director of the Clearlake Senior Center, and most have no family. “We are often the only people they see,” Overton said, adding that this Christmas new lap blankets are needed for homebound seniors. “I have collected 66 but we need at least another 66 new lap blankets.” Overton added that The Clearlake Senior Center is providing Christmas dinner and the Center is in need of turkeys, hams, potatoes, green beans, California mixed vegetables, stuffing, cranberry sauce, butter rolls, pies or any other dessert, coffee, creamer, sweeteners, china paper plates and paper cups. In addition, Overton is hoping that Santa Claus shows up to give gifts to children that may attend as this might be the only gift they get for Christmas.
Donations can be dropped off at 3245 Bowers Ave, Clearlake. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 11 million, or 28% of people aged 65 and older, lived alone at the time of the census.
Virginia Craven, the founder of Operation Tango Mike, said that the troops are in need of jerky, nuts, stick deodorant and correspondence. Drop off locations include Umpqua Bank in Lakeport, Kelseyville Fire Department, Lake County Fire Protection District in Clearlake and Red and White Market in Clearlake Oaks.
Redwood Community Services is also looking for assistance during the holiday season. According to Angie Bakker Public Relations spokesperson, “As you know, many of the youth we serve are unable to be with family during the holidays and may even be spending this season adjusting to life in a new home. For those who are fortunate to be with family, financial struggles can make it difficult to manage gift exchanges and spend quality time with one another. What we experience as a season of giving and joy, is often a season of sorrow, stress and loss for so many of our youth.”
“We at Redwood Community Services are asking our local businesses, community members, and neighbors to join us in supporting our many youth and families this holiday season,” Bakker said via their digital newsletter. “Your one time gift can make a lifetime difference. Whether it be sponsoring a youth, choosing a gift off a wish list, or simply picking out that present that is calling to you, your generous donations truly provide hope to many and help us in spreading holiday cheer to young and old.”
According to information made public by RCS, unwrapped gifts may be dropped off at either of our two office locations: 800 N. State Street Ukiah or: 154 S. Main Street Lakeport, CA. Monetary donations can be mailed to: P.O. Box 2077 Ukiah, CA 95482 or made online at www.redwoodcommunityservices.org. If you would like more information on holiday donations, sponsoring a youth, or gathering wish lists, please call: (707) 472- 2923. All donations are tax deductible.”
Toys for Tots
Santa is also on his way to Lake County as the annual Toys For Tots distribution day is scheduled for Dec. 21 at Lower Lake High School in the multi-purpose room at 9430 Lake Street. Residents still have time to donate toys at their local merchants and centers throughout the Lake including the Clearlake, Kelsyeville, Lakeport, Upper Lake Fire Departments, Jerri Waddington DMV, Clearlake, Jim’s Mini Storage, Kelseyville Lumber, Lakeport Tire and Auto Cener, Mendo Mill, Riviera Foods and WalMart.
The local Toys for Tots drive in Kelseyville was started by Dave Hubbard, the lead welding instructor at Woodland Community College in Clearlake. He said he started the program 13 years ago with his wife Pat. Previously he would pick up toys from Mendocino County. The coordinator of the Mendocino program was a friend who told him to apply for the program as a regional coordinator. He did so and was accepted. Last year, 7,235 toys were distributed to 2,694 children locally as a result of the program.
Hubbard said he would like to have more businesses come down on Saturday, December 21 to the distribution event and see what they do. According to Hubbard, this year the donations have been down with the boxes being half empty in many locations and he urges the community to contribute during the final push before the distribution event by donating a toy at one of the many locations throughout the Lake.
“Normally we collect at Kmart and WalMart starting in Lake November,” he said. “Kmart closing is going to hurt us,” adding that in previous years, the program has collected about 750 toys from that store alone. Hubbard said that the Marine Corps Reserve, which sponsors the event nationally, usually sends 8 to $12,000 worth of toys every year to help stimulate donations. This year the program received $1,500 to spend on toys at local retailers. This weekend on both Saturday and Sunday, the Clearlake Fire Department will take an engine to WalMart and fill a fire truck with donated toys in a final push before the Dec. 21 distribution in Lower Lake. For more information, or to assist with the distribution of donated items, members of the public can contact Hubbard at 707-349-3031 or via email at davelakecampus@yahoo.com
Freelance writer Mary Phillips contributed to this report.
