HOLIDAY HELP

Finding ways to help others during the holidays

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There are many nonprofits and charitable organizations in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County that provide care and support for those in need every day of the year.

As we approach the holidays, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time,” as Charles Dickens said in his classic 1843 novella, “A Christmas Carol.”

In this series, which will continue through mid-December, the Bulletin will provide current information on nearly 30 local organizations that could use your support – money, other donations and volunteer time – this holiday season.

And remember, every dollar and every hour you donate makes a difference.

  • U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots of Doña Ana County collects new, unwrapped toys for boys and girls ages 0-14 in 150-plus donation boxes that go up countywide by Nov. 1. Most needed are girls’ makeup, soccer balls, basketballs, games and other toys for ages 8 and up, and cash to buy toys. Coordinated by Rotary Club of Las Cruces and El Perro Diablo Marine Corps League Detachment #478 of Las Cruces, through Las Cruces, Gadsden and Hatch school districts. Contact Patty Groth, 575-202-6185, and U.S. Marine (ret.) Joe Montoya, 575-571-7728. Email las.cruces.nm@toysfortots.org. Visit http://las-cruces-nm.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/donate-toys.aspx and Las Cruces Toys for Tots on Facebook. Mail donations to Rotary Club of Las Cruces, P.O. Box 1912, Las Cruces, N.M. 88004. Jack and Peggy Petrowsky started Toys for Tots in Las Cruces in 1998, providing toys to 65 children. It provided 16,000 items (11,000 toys plus books and stocking stuffers) to 5,400 children countywide in 2021.
  • 29th annual Las Cruces Coats for Kids needs new/gently used coats for children ages birth to fifth grade, sizes infant to adult XL. Take cash donations to Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico, 3880 Foothills Road, suite A, Las Cruces; mail to Community Action Agency, 3880 Foothills Road, Las Cruces, N.M. 88011; donate online at www.lascrucescoatsforkids.com. Drop-off coats at 101 Gold radio, 101 Perkins Drive; Comet Cleaners, 1) 2001 E. Lohman Ave., 2) 22497 N. Main St., 3) 555 Utah Ave.; D2 Designs, 101 Perkins Drive, suite B; US Bank, 1) 277 E. Amador Ave., 2) 901 E. University Ave., 3) 3790 E. Lohman Ave. Call Coordinator Alycia Jameson at 575-621-4612. Every donation is doubled by Anderson Foundation. Coats for Kids has provided more than 60,000 coats in the past 28 years.
  • Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, needs shoebox donations for children worldwide struggling with terrorism, poverty, famine, disease. No candy, toothpaste, liquids or toys that represent war. The drop-off center is Grace Covenant Church, 3111 N. Main St. Donations accepted Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Nov. 14, 16, 18: 3-5 pm; Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Nov. 15, 17, 19: 11 am-1 pm; Sunday, Nov. 20: 1-3 pm; Monday, Nov. 21: 9 am-noon. Visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ

to donate online and to learn how to pack a shoebox. Stephanie Muir: occsouthwestnm@gmail.com.

  • Tresco, Inc., a nonprofit that provides job placement services to people with disabilities, needs donations for Thanksgiving food baskets and Christmas toys for less fortunate families it serves. Donations of any amount are welcome. $75 provides a family with a Thanksgiving food basket. $150 provides Christmas toys for a family. $225 provides both. You can also donate food and new toys. Donations requested by Nov. 7. Take donations to Tresco, 1800 Copper Loop, or contact Stacie Allen at 575-528-2206 and sallen@trescoinc.org. Mail donations to Tresco, Inc. 1800 Copper Loop, Las Cruces, N.M. 88005 c/o Stacie Allen. Visit https://sub.trescoinc.org/.
Holiday Help

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