Empty Stockings
By Independent Record - 11/30/08
Photo provided - Dannelle and Rodney
It is heartwarming to see, year after year, your outpouring of love, time, gifts, donations and contributions to help these organizations and agencies help our neighbors in need. This year, perhaps more than ever, a pair of mittens, a basket of food, items such as pencils or a playground ball can make a difference.
On behalf of the IR and the organizations who have sent us their lists, thank you — the individuals, families, groups, businesses, clubs — everyone in our community, for your warmhearted response to past Empty Stockings requests. Happy holidays!
Area IV Agency on Aging
200 South Cruse Ave.
Helena, MT 59624-1717 457-7352 or 447-1680
Area IV Agency on Aging is a part of Rocky Mountain Development Council and serves people age 60-plus and their families in six counties. Throughout the year, AoA provides direct assistance to those faced with significant life changes and needs due to ill health and the aging process. We have a staff who visits people in their homes as needed, assesses their needs and helps to set up services that improve their quality of life.
Funds from AoA provide a large portion of the cost of home-delivered meals and senior center meals. And AoA is the “go to” place that assists many hundreds of seniors sort through plans and sign up for Medicare coverage.
The agency also provides ombudsman services for assisted living and nursing home residents and administers the Home and Community Based Services (or Medicaid “waiver”) Program (HCBS). HCBS allows people who would otherwise need to be in a personal care home or nursing home the chance to stay where they are and receive services in their home of choice. The goal is to help seniors remain as independent as possible and allow them to age with dignity.
AoA has been fortunate to serve many people this year again who have come to our agency for assistance and can use some cheer:
1. “J” is a gentleman who as a young man was a photographer for National Geographic. He continues to photograph although he has a life-threatening illness. He could use some frames for the photos he donates to his senior center and an Ansel Adams (favorite photographer) calendar for his wall.
2. “H” collected Hummel’s as a younger woman and loves them still — a Hummel calendar or something related for her.
3. This lady had a stroke, but still tackles 500-piece puzzles. To help her with papers, etc., we thought a lap desk (the kind with a pillow on the bottom) would be helpful.
4. “Alma” loves bags! And she carries all sorts of stuff with her. She also loves big colorful bead necklaces to wear.
5. A gentleman recently moved from his home to an assisted living facility. He was used to having tools and projects while in his home and now finds he has a lot of time on his hands. One thing he can still do is wood burning — so for him, a wood burning set and some wood pieces to work on.
6. Many of our lady clients have trouble doing their own hair — and trouble paying for hair cuts. A gift of cash can be used to help them purchase a “do” once in a while.
7. A cat from the Humane Society recently adopted one of our clients. She would like a “cat tree” to climb on and keep an eye on her new person — and maybe a toy or two.
8. Mr. is on dialysis and Mrs. has cancer. They are caretakers for each other. A gift certificate for a night out together -— perhaps Macaroni Grill or another special place so they can remember “normal.”
9. Our Poet has paper but needs a handful of inexpensive pens.
10. “E” came from a sad situation but is now adjusted and thriving in her new home. Her last new coat was over 10 years ago. She is wishing for a mid-thigh length navy blue coat size medium.
11. It isn’t unusual for clients to still cook, clean and exercise as they age. What is unusual is that “B” still does it all at the young age of 99. Cute socks and a set of size M flannel pajamas will keep her cozier this winter.
12. This lady is a mere youngster at 96. She loves cats, “bent and wiggly” word search puzzles to keep her mind limber and hair decorations and makeup to enhance her femininity.
13. Bath towels and wash cloths for a woman who recently moved out of her home into a smaller place.
14. A sport-themed calendar for a man who hunted and fished his whole life.
15. A “young” man who shovels walks and helps out “older” seniors has a large scar on his head from an old injury. He wears a worn baseball cap to cover his scar. He could use a new baseball hat, T-shirts size XXL and a pair of men’s gloves size L.
16. Her home loses power intermittently and this wheelchair bound lady would like a battery lamp and/or flashlight that she can easily reach to see her way without electricity. She could also use a “grabber” to lift small items from the floor or cupboards.
17. “K” has a very low fixed income and recently was helped into a new apartment after years in substandard circumstances. We have been able to gather furniture and most necessities for her, but she still needs two sets of twin bed sheets, a new pillow, bath towels, wash cloths, dish towels and dish cloths. Shampoo, liquid bath soap, lotion and other toiletries would help her get settled.
18. This kind woman enjoys crafts even with deteriorating use of her hands — bead kits with large beads would be easier for her to make.
19. Nutritional enhancement is big need for many seniors. Ensure and Boost make good snacks for them.
20. Dog and cat food and treats are things that are always on our list. (Pets are often the only companion of our clients.) Science Diet or special diet food for indoor pets is usually the best kind for them.
21. “Reva” is as spunky as her name — at 80-plus and using a walker, she can still make a pile of mean pasties for friends. And she loves to garden although now she grows plants in pots that she can reach from her porch. Perhaps an indoor plant and/or a birdfeeder so she can enjoy her garden through the winter.
There are many items on our wish list that are in constant demand and some that are favorites:
• $10 and $20 gift cards to discount stores such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Shopko and Target. These are always wonderful gifts for our clients.
• Grocery store gift cards are good too, such as Safeway, Albertsons or Thriftway.
• Gift cards for gas — Town Pumps are located in many places and easily accessible for most.
• Gift coupons for Home Delivered Meals (call 447-1680 to arrange).
• Dinners “out” are rare treats. Perkins and IHOP seem to be favorites — and Macaroni Grill would be a special treat.
• Gift certificates to Goodwill or the Good Samaritan Thrift Shop.
• Cleaning supplies and home care products such as paper towels, laundry soap and all purpose cleaners
• Personal items such as toilet paper and Kleenex, intensive care body lotions, shampoo, conditioner, and bath soaps that are unscented or lightly scented.
• Fleece blankets, small quilts, lap throws
• Coasters for bedside tables.
• 2008 calendars, especially those with Bible or landscape and country themes. Large font is good for aging eyes.
• Postage stamps.
• Boost and Ensure.
• Dog and cat food, kitty litter (the “clumping kind” is good).
• Videos.
• Single serve coffee bags and teas.
• Regular ground coffees.
• Sweets of all kinds including sugar-free for those individuals with diabetes — Parrot or See’s candy is always a special treat.
• Talking books (Western books especially).
• Country music and Christmas music CDs.
Items may be dropped off at Rocky Mountain Development Council in the Neighborhood Center — 200 South Cruse, Helena. Please identify them to go to the Area IV Agency on Aging, Empty Stockings and designate if they are for a specific person on the list. You may call 457-7352 or
1-800-551-3191 for additional information about the programs or gifts, or if you would like one of us to come and pick up your donation. We always appreciate knowing your name and address too, so we can send “thanks” individually.
In keeping respect for the people receiving these gifts, we request new or unused items — and unwrapped items are easier for us to see and sort. AoA staff must have items by Friday, Dec. 12, and will deliver gifts during the week of Dec. 15, to ensure they are received by Christmas.
Thank you for your generosity each year.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT HOME VISITORS
1930 9th Ave.
457-8964
The home visitors are a part of the Lewis and Clark County Health Department serving pregnant women and parents in order to strengthen families.
Throughout the year we provide direct in-home services to families in various stages of transition.
Often our families are struggling financially and may be working hard to make ends meet.
With the varied needs of our families, monetary donations are always appreciated.
Other ideas include hats and mittens for the children; gas and oil change certificates to keep parents employed and making it to work; diapers; car seats for safe travel; and gift certificates for drop-in child care so parents can make their appointments and the children can enjoy the company of other youngsters.
If you have a donation, it can be dropped off at or mailed to the Health Department at 1930 9th Ave.
Please identify it as a donation for the Home Visitors program. You can also arrange to have donations picked up by calling Marci at 457-8964.
CAREER TRAINING INSTITUTE
347 N. Last Chance Gulch
443-0800
Career Training Institute is seeking holiday assistance for low-income families in our community. The people served at CTI receive training and case management services to help them become employed. Holiday assistance would be appreciated for participants working hard to become self-supporting, such as:
• Terry is a single mom with two daughters. She has serious health problems and recently started a new job. Her paycheck barely stretches from week to week. She could benefit from gas assistance and winter clothing for her and her girls.
• Jeff is a single dad. He has three-quarter-time job but continually has mechanical problems with his car. Food, winter clothing and gas assistance would really help Jeff.
• Mary is a young homeless woman who struggles with long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury. Mary is currently unemployed. She doesn’t have transportation and lacks appropriate work clothing. Personal hygiene items, clothing and bus passes would help Mary enormously.
• A single dad with two teenage sons is actively job searching and currently receiving training at a volunteer work experience site in Helena until obtaining employment.
• A single mom working part-time and raising two very active twin boys.
• A first-time mom is returning to full-time employment after her baby’s birth. She could use assistance with a fuel card to travel to her job or a gift card to purchase diapers and clothing for her newborn.
• A single mom with an infant. The mom is searching for part-time employment in addition to being a full-time student.
• A mother of four is returning to the work force and actively job searching while attending employment training at CTI.
CTI families who have received holiday assistance in the past have expressed appreciation for fuel cards that enable them to drive their children to day care and themselves to training and work. They have also been most grateful for gift cards/certificates that allow them to purchase small gifts for their children at Christmastime.
THE ANGEL FUND
P. O. Box 7436
Helena, MT 59604
442-2604
mmwall@bresnan.net
The Angel Fund is a Nonprofit 501(c)3 Corporation that helps K-12 Helena School District children with necessary school items including school clothes, shoes, winter coats, school supplies, backpacks, field-trip fees, project materials and other school expenses to families needing assistance.
The Angel Fund also awards Montana postsecondary scholarships to qualified high-school seniors based on need and academic success at each high school to assist in expenses their freshman year. This fall, The Angel Fund began its 19th school year making a difference in a child’s life.
The Angel Fund’s expenses have increased by 70 percent, helping over 500 children in Helena. We hope you will consider helping a child in need. Our philosophy, “pay it forward” — a concept of giving to others to make the world a better place — instills community and kindness. The children we help today will help others in the future. Together, The Angel Fund is changing the world one child at a time! Thank you Helena for your continued support and generous spirit! Happy Holidays!
Pad for Paws Foundation
442-7373
www.padforpaws.org
The Pad for Paws Foundation is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to supporting the welfare of domestic animals with resources, education and services in the communities it serves. As well as supporting the Helena Area Friends of Pets spay/neutering clinics with funds and equipment, the group has provided doghouses and pet carriers to needy families.
The newest program, Paws Pantry, has donated over 6,000 pounds of dog and cat food to Helena Food Share, God’s Love and many needy individuals and families around Helena. Yet it is still nowhere close to meeting the food needs of hundreds of hungry pets whose owners are struggling to survive these difficult economic times.
This holiday season please help us fill the empty stockings of countless dogs and cats. The only real hope they have for a nutritious meal every day is the food all of us provide. Your bag of dog chow or several cans of cat food will make a great difference in their lives — the difference between going hungry or being fed.
Celebrate the love that our pets generously give us all year. Please contact us at www.padforpaws.org to find out how you can help spread the holiday spirit to pets in need. All donations are tax-deductible as allowable by law.
RMDC LIEAP
200 South Cruse Ave.
447-1625
Many in our community have been unusually hard hit by utility costs. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) established the Mary Shamley Utility Deposit Fund specifically to help individuals with utility deposit requests. Please consider giving someone the gift of light and heat this holiday season. Rocky Mountain Development Council’s LIEAP program administers the fund, and your donation is tax-deductible. Please consider the following scenarios:
• A single woman in Jefferson County has not had baseboard heat or lighting for the past two months because she cannot pay the necessary deposit.
• A disabled man hoping to get into Helena Housing needs to pay a utility deposit first. The bill must be put in his name in order for him to obtain housing.
• A young father, whose wife is in a treatment center, needs help with a utility deposit. He is hoping to bring his children into a warm and more stable home.
The Mary Shamley Utility Deposit Fund has been established specifically to help individuals with these kinds of requests when there are no other available resources. Last year the fund helped 15 families by providing $2,579 to help with utility deposits. Thank you for your generosity and we at LIEAP wish you a peaceful and warm holiday.
MONTANA DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER
P.O. Box 87 or
310 S. 4th Ave.
Boulder, MT 59632
225-4482 (Deb Bishop)
dbishop@mt.gov
Montana Developmental Center is the state center for our developmentally disabled adult citizens who require intensive services. Our residents look forward to Christmas with great anticipation. The center relies on donated funds and items to meet the multitude of needs and desires.
Monetary donations are used to shop for individual needs to purchase gifts at Christmas and then for emergency needs throughout the year.
If you would rather do the shopping desired items include: clothing in adult sizes, hygiene supplies, recreation, leisure and fitness supplies, art and crafts supplies, gaming equipment, CDs and DVDs, comfort and relaxation items, as well as edible treats.
Nearly new or gently used items go to the general store where our residents shop free of charge year-round.
Unwrapped items need to arrive by Dec. 21. Please include your name and address so we can acknowledge the donation for tax purposes. Rimrock Trailways Bus Co. will ship items at a 50 percent reduced rate. Our mailing/ shipping address is Montana Developmental Center, Box 87, Boulder MT 59632. Please call Deb Bishop for more information. Thank you for thinking of us at this busy time of year.
RMDC HOME DELIVERED MEALS PROGRAM
200 S. Cruse Ave.
Mailing: P.O. Box 1717, Helena, MT 59624
457-7361
rmdc.org
The Home Delivered Meals Program provides a healthy well-balanced noontime meal Monday-Friday to nearly 100 seniors in the Helena area who are homebound due to illness or physical limitations.
Monetary donations to supplement funding for the meals program and gift certificates for individuals are most appreciated.
For something special, our clients enjoy occasional tray favors with their meals. These are particularly appreciated throughout the year for holidays, but ANY time they receive that “something extra” with their meal, it is a treat.
Donations may be dropped off at the receptionist’s office in the Neighborhood Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or mailed to the address above.
ST. PETER’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
2475 Broadway
444-2370
foundation@stpetes.org
www.stpetes.org
A 4-week-old baby is diagnosed with stomach cancer. He requires immediate treatment at the Mayo Clinic. The parents are young and lack financial resources.
St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation provides the parents with travel funds to help their baby get the care he needs. Just one of the hundreds of patients helped by St. Peter’s Foundation this past year.
St. Peter’s Hospital was founded in 1883. It is a community owned, nonprofit hospital that cares for every single person who comes through its doors, regardless of insurance or personal finances.
Gifts to help patients and families in medical crisis, and to support all services provided by the hospital, are managed by St. Peter’s Foundation.
Whether a $25 memorial gift for Hospice, a $10,000 gift for dialysis equipment or an unrestricted bequest in a personal will, gifts to St. Peter’s Foundation help provide care that wouldn’t otherwise be there.
Gifts to the Foundation are used in three main ways:
• Providing direct financial assistance to patients and families in medical crisis.
• Subsidizing special services, such as Hospice, Lifeline Units and Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation to insure everyone who needs them receives them.
• Funding new equipment and improvements in the hospital that benefit our entire community.
Every single day, 365 days a year, hundreds of our family, friends and neighbors depend on St. Peter’s Hospital for health and healing. Gifts to the Foundation provide help when people need it most.
A few more examples:
• Patient presented to clinical dietician at St. Peter’s with out-of-control diabetes. Had endured 50-lb. weight loss, blood sugar readings off the scale, couldn’t afford to go to doctor. Was trying to “wait out” next nine months until qualified for Medicare. High risk for coma and hospitalization.
St. Peter’s Foundation paid for an immediate physician visit and helped negotiate on-going care to prevent hospitalization until Medicare coverage began.
• Patient was an infant on breathing equipment at home in small one-bedroom apartment. Hospitalized once already for high temperature due to hot home environment from summer temp and all the medical equipment. Future hospitalizations likely without help.
St. Peter’s Foundation purchased a small window air conditioner, resulting in a cooler apartment, better care and no further hospitalizations.
• New at-home, hemodialysis patient with 16-month-old baby. A week of intensive training required for her and husband, together, to learn how to safely do dialysis at home.
St. Peter’s Foundation provided for one week of childcare so both parents could learn safe, effective home dialysis.
• Patient to be discharged with serious leg wounds is living in his van. It is mid-February and without proper care the leg will not heal. Future hospitalization likely.
St. Peter’s Foundation provided three nights’ motel lodging, giving patient a warm, clean place to heal. Repeat hospitalization avoided.
Your gifts to St. Peter’s Foundation make a difference in peoples lives every day. Thank you for helping us provide this care!!
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF MONTANA
1301 11th Ave.
Helena, MT 59601
Catholic Social Services of Montana is a charitable organization serving both young parents and expectant parents in need. We are expecially in need of gift cards that parents could use for food, clothing, gas, prescriptions and other basic needs. We see a tremendous increase in need for young families this year to be able to provide the necessities for their children. Diapers, baby clothing, and warm clothes for winter are needed also. Items can be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at 1301 11th Ave.
SHODAIR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
2755 Colonial Drive
P.O. Box 5539
Helena MT 59601
447-7500
www.shodairhospital.org
Wish list from the patients at Shodair Children’s Hospital (no need to wrap):
DVDs (G and PG movies, nature and science movies)
Art and scrapbooking supplies, stationery
Wii games (like Mario and Wii Fit)
Music CDs (Pop, Country, New Age, Classic Rock — no parental advisory)
CD players, headphones
MP3 players
Game Boys with games
Small hand-held games like Connect Four, 20 Questions, Bingo
Legos, Lincoln Logs, K-nexs and other building toys
Beanie Babies, My Little Pony toys
Puzzles and board games
Nerf balls, footballs
Books for ages 5-17
Action figures and Transformers
Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars
PJs, slippers, and socks for boys and girls, ages 5-17
T-shirts and hoodie sweatshirts for boys and girls, ages 5-17
Personal care items
Snacks like Cup o Noodles, mac and cheese, soda (caffeine-free only)
YWCA
401 N. Park
Helena, MT 59601
442-8774
Contact: Kelly Hart
The YWCA has been supporting women and girls in the Helena community since 1906 and provided low-cost housing for women in transition in its historical building since 1919.
The 31 bedrooms are in need of twin and full-sized matteress, pillows, throw rugs, alarm clocks and dressers.
The Y is also in need of cleaning supplies, paper towels and toilet paper, snow shovels and gloves.
Also greatly appreciated and needed are prepaid phone cards and gift cards for gas, haircuts, food, etc.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF HELENA
30 W. 6th Avenue
442-7479
www.bbbs-helena.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Helena is a proven prevention program for youth, providing needed support to children in our local community through professionally supported one-to-one relationships.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Helena matches children from single-parent homes with caring, positive adults in a one-to-one mentoring match. BBBSH provides two programs in Helena: Community Based Mentoring and School Based Mentoring.
In the School Based Mentoring program matches meet one day per week, at the school during the Little’s lunch/recess time. Volunteers have fun helping their Little with academics, talking, playing games, or doing arts and crafts activities.
In the Community Mentoring program matches meet for two hours a week and partake in fun activities like hiking, going to a sporting event, watching a movie, baking cookies — anything that the match wants to do together!
Program expenses include child and mentor screening, assessment, matching, match planning, match supervision, evaluation and activities. BBBSH serves nine elementary schools, one middle school, and more than 400 children in Helena.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Helena is always looking for mentors in both programs.
Other needs our programs have are: Laptop computer; digital camera for use in taking match photos; tickets to sporting events, plays or other activities for matches to enjoy together; sponsors for group activities; LCD projector; and new board games for the school mentoring program.
Florence Crittenton Home
901 North Harris St.
Helena MT 59601
406-442-6950 ext 221
Since 1900, Florence Crittenton Home has maintained a strong tradition of caring for young women, infants and children. The home has served over 15,000 mothers, babies and adoptive families over the last 108 years.
Today it is nationally recognized as a leading therapeutic maternity home providing the highest level of care for at risk teen moms and their babies. As Montana’s only licensed maternity home, it provides a therapeutic residential setting for up to 16 pregnant and parenting teens ranging in age from 12 to 20 and their babies.
Staff members provide 24/7 love and support to the girls and babies. They also counsel pregnant moms as they decide whether or not to make an adoption plan for their baby. They help parenting moms gain the skills to create a healthy family and brighter future. And for the babies … well, they give them all the love they can and teach their moms to do that too.
The staff’s hope is that the Helena community will open their hearts to the girls, babies and toddlers to enable them to have a memorable and joyous holiday. The home currently houses 13 girls, 6 babies and two toddlers. The new mothers are certainly excited about sharing their first Christmas with their babies.
This year the girls’ holiday wish list includes:
• Gift Cards: Target, JC Penney’s, Macy’s, Shopko, Starbuck’s, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, Hastings, movie theater, bowling, ExplorationWorks, phone cards, Safeway, Wal-Mart, Albertson’s, Bath & Body Works, hair salons
• Everything for your first home: new pots and pans, blenders, toasters, dishes, drinking glasses, vacuum, twin, full or queen comforters, pillows, blankets, bath towels and washcloths, bath rugs, mops, brooms, crockpots, microwaves, cookbooks (including ethnic), juicers, etc …
This year the babies’ and toddlers’ holiday wish list includes:
• Essential baby items: flannel crib blankets and crib sheets, bassinet sheets, diaper bags, disposable changing pads, nursing pads, baby shower gifts, disposable diapers, new bottles, baby wipes, Desitin, burp cloths, socks (6 month-1 year), individual tubes of Vaseline, baby bath wash, shampoo, lotion, Grayco playpen sheets, high chairs, baby slings or baby Bjorn’s, strollers, pacifiers, teething rings
• Baby learn and play (newborn-2 years): tactile learning toys, board books with big real life pictures, nesting/stacking cups, ethnic baby dolls, hand puppets, play mobiles, riding toys, arts and crafts, blocks, four-piece puzzles, bouncy seats
MONTANA YOUTH HOMES
Emily McVey
P.O. Box 1717
Helena, MT 59624
449-3038
emcvey@rmdc.net
www.rmdc.net
The Montana Youth Homes (MYH) have offered sanctuary to literally hundreds of Helena area youth since 1974. Kids come into the youth home for a variety of reasons, and every one of them needs a compassionate and safe environment that offers the tools they need to make their way toward young adulthood. It’s always hard for kids to be away from home during the holidays. Thank you for reaching out to the boys and girls at Montana Youth Home during this season.
This year one of our kids is a 14-year-old girl who has been living away from home for the past 18 months. She needs jeans size 10; shoes size 7; socks; and underwear. She would love to have some fun things like a fuzzy bathrobe (size large) with slippers, a fleece blanket, makeup kit, nail polish, hairbrush and journal.
Our 16-year-old boy is new to the group home. He needs a sturdy backpack, jeans size 32-34; shoes size 10; tank tops; socks; and underwear. He’d love a new skateboard or an iPod. He is hoping to get some good acne face wash and cologne.
Every time a youth comes to stay with us we like to welcome them with a set of toiletries including new shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrush, their own new (not used) fluffy bath towel, and set of twin bedding. These items will help make our house a home throughout the year.
The home is also in need of a digital camera, couch and/or loveseat, craft supplies, sewing supplies, postage stamps, phone cards and gift cards for “fun days” such as movie passes, hair cuts etc.
TOYS FOR TOTS
Beth Foster, Coordinator
P.O. Box 6896
Helena, MT 59604
461-3014
For the 30th year in Helena, Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots collection barrels and Train Campaign Cars have been placed at strategic locations throughout the city. There are 55 drop-off and donation sites including Wal-Mart, AAA Mountain West, Bergum Drug, Kmart, ShopKo, U.S. Marine Recruiters Office, Walgreens, Montana Toy & Book Co., Murdoch’s and Hunter’s Pointe. Please visit the Toys for Tots national Web site www.toysfortots.com to get a full listing of all donation sites in Helena, East Helena and throughout the entire state of Montana.
Toys for Tots is a nonprofit organization developed in 1947 by the Los Angeles Marine Corps Reserve that has been adopted in Montana by volunteers from every area of military service. TFT provides toys to area children who would otherwise receive none for Christmas. The Marine Corps League is counting on the Helena area, once again, to fill the need.
TFT needs new, unwrapped toys for needy children, ages 0-15, who live in the Helena and surrounding area. Toys for Tots is working cooperatively this year with the Salvation Army and the Good Samaritan Ministries to supply toys for both of their respective giveaways on Dec. 20 and Dec. 22. The Dec. 20 site is at the Salvation Army Gym, 1905 Henderson and the Dec. 22 site is located at Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 North Ewing.
We welcome anyone who may need assistance providing Christmas gifts for their children. Again this year, families will be required to register with the Salvation Army or Good Samaritan to expedite the giveaway and to reduce the amount of time people would spend outside in poor weather conditions. To register at the Salvation Army, please call Susan at 442-8244 or Tiffany at the Good Samaritan 442-0780 by Dec. 12.
“Every child deserves a little Christmas.”
RMDC HEAD START
Janet Coughlin
200 South Cruse Ave.
457-7308
Rocky Mountain Development Council Head Start serves about 270 children ages 3 and 4 each year. Although the majority of Head Start families are in the work force, 90 percent of the children who attend Head Start live in poverty. That means a family of three, for example, is living on less than $17,600 per year. All year long RMDC Head Start is grateful for the care and generosity shown by the community to families in need. Most especially at Christmas, your donations are appreciated.
• A young Head Start family is in need of a new or gently used twin mattress. Another family is looking for a full-size mattress and box springs.
• Because accidents happen, Head Start children can really use extra boys and girls sweat pants and underwear sizes 4-6, as well as Pullups. Kids can also use socks for children’s shoe sizes 10-12. Size small preschool mittens for ages 3-5 are also appreciated.
• Perhaps the single most appreciated gift you can give this holiday season is a gas card for $10 or $15. Unfortunately, gas guzzlers are the most affordable cars out there, and many low income families do not have another option. There are times when a gas card has literally kept a young parent employed.
• Finally, Head Start maintains two special funds, one for donations to early childhood literacy materials and the other for emergency assistance to families through the year.
For information, contact Janet Coughlin, RMDC Head Start, P.O. Box 1717, Helena, MT 59624; 457-7334; www.rmdc.net.
CASA-Advocates for Kids
(Lewis and Clark County)
133 Reeder’s Alley
Helena, MT 59601
457-0797
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a nonprofit organization that utilizes the services of trained volunteer advocates to promote the interests of individual children in the state’s protective custody because of abuse and neglect.
Six children between the ages of 6 months and 17 were recently placed in the care of relatives due to substance-abuse issues with their parents. While the relatives stepped forward to assure the children would remain with family and be together rather than be placed in foster homes, the addition of the children into the household has had a substantial impact on the family’s finances.
The children all need clothes, winter apparel and shoes.
Their ages, genders and shoe sizes are as follows:
• 17-year-old girl who wears 36x36 in pants and XL shirts; her shoe size is 10½. She needs a winter coat (size XXL) and she would like a little portable CD player.
• 16-year-old boy who wears 36x34 in jeans and XXL shirts; his shoe size is 10½. He would like games for his PSP player.
• 10-year-old girl who wears a 10 junior in pants and XL junior for shirts; her shoe size is 9½. She likes the Bratz dolls and enjoys educational books.
• 3-year-old boy who wears 3 T; his shoe size is 10. He would like a toy fishing pole and toys. (Leap Frog learning books)
• 2-year-old girl who wears 2T or 24 months; her shoe size is 5½. She also would like a baby doll with stroller.
• 6-month-old boy who wears 6-9 months. He needs a winter snowsuit, clothes, baby blankets and toys.
• Food items would also be much appreciated.
The Friendship Center
1430 Sanders
Helena, MT 59601
406-442-6800
deb@thefriendshipcenter.org
www.TheFriendshipCenter.org
The Friendship Center provides safe shelter and a broad range of support services to victims of domestic and sexual violence and their children. In 2007, the center served 1,046 survivors of these crimes, including over 300 children. In addition, the center answered 1,296 crisis line calls and provided 5,542 nights of shelter.
All services are free and confidential. Victims often come to The Friendship Center with nothing, and are in great need of basic items as they begin to rebuild their lives.
Current needs include:
1. A mother with three children needs new ball joints for her vehicle, as well as other crucial car repairs.
2. Several women would appreciate a gift certificate to get their hair cut.
3. The center needs TracFones and TracFone airtime cards for families who need a phone for emergencies, as well as for women seeking employment.
4. Many women living at the Friendship Center are in dire need of help with car maintenance, including tuneups, and lube and oil changes.
5. A mom with four children just moved into their own apartment and needs cleaning supplies and garbage bags.
6. Many families living in the shelter need to store their belongings, but can’t afford the fees. Donated storage units would prevent them from having to leave their personal belongings behind.
7. A family just moved into an apartment and desperately needs dressers to replace the cardboard boxes they’ve been using to store clothing.
8. A young, single mother of two daughters, struggling to make ends meet, needs four all-season tires for her compact car.
9. Sweat pants, sweat shirts, socks, slippers and underwear are needed for rape victims to wear home from the hospital following forensic rape exams.
10. The center is in need of movie passes and fast-food gift certificates to enable kids and families to have a fun night out.
11. The center could use toilet paper for shelter bathrooms.
12. The center needs backpacks and snacks to give to children for long bus trips.
Senior Companion Program
P.O. Box 1717
Helena, MT 59624
Contact: Abby Zent
457-7461
azent@rmdc.net
www.rmdc.net
The Senior Companion Program has offered the services of Senior Companions to hundreds of Helena area adults since 1980. Senior Companions are low-income adults age 60 or older who offer companionship and other services to adults who need some help to maintain their independence.
Senior Companions provide services such as transportation to the grocery store or doctor, help with bill paying and friendship. In return for their service Senior Companions receive a small stipend that they use to pay their own bills.
The holiday season is always tough for our Senior Companions who live on a limited income and sometimes cannot afford the basic necessities, let alone gifts for their loved ones. Thank you for reaching out to the Senior Companions during this season.
• One of our companions recently had cataract surgery and needs new glasses. She also needs the fluids in her car flushed and snow tires so she can continue volunteering as a Senior Companion.
• Another companion also needs some work done on her car, both the inner and outer tie rods need to be replaced so that she can provide transportation to her clients. She needs size 16 blue jeans as well.
• One of our companions has had some financial difficulties during the last year and needs some help getting back on her feet. She is in need of clothing: shirts and blouses size XL, size large pants, size 10 underwear and bras, size 44D. In addition to the clothing she needs insurance for her truck.
The Senior Companion Program is also in need of recognition gifts for the volunteers such as flowers, gas cards and other gift cards.
HELENA INDIAN ALLIANCE LEO POCHA CLINIC
436 N. Jackson St.
Colorado Building
Helena MT, 59601
449-5796
Leo Pocha Clinic patients need $5 gift cards to Wal-Mart for medication co-pays. With the cold winter coming up, the alliance is also requesting hats, gloves, and coats for men, women, boys and girls
Center for Mental Health Foundation
900 North Jackson
P.O. Box 744
Helena, MT 59624
Joan Higgins-Smith,
development coordinator
443-7151
Fax: 443-3420
joanhs@center4mh.org
Center for Mental Health CMH (formerly Golden Triangle), 900 N. Jackson St. provides comprehensive mental health services for adults, families, individuals and children.
• Shelly (not her real name) is a single mom with seven children currently living at home. They live in the Helena area. At times, there are up to 14 people living in a small house but they all seem to work it out. According to the center’s therapist, the kids are very sweet and have learned to deal with their situation; they have no bedrooms and have totes to store their stuff in. They are always in need of clothing that fits, especially pants, shoes and undergarments:
Two of Shelly’s sons are in kindergarten. One wears a size 4T in jeans and shirts; underwear, 2T-3T; shoes and socks, 9 child; snow pants, size 4 snow boots, 9½; and mittens for small child.
The other kindergartner wears size 5 jeans, shirts, snow pants, and underwear (5T) and size 12 child shoes, socks, snow boots; and needs mittens/gloves for small child.
Shelly’s first-grade girl, wears size 4 underwear; size 5 shirt; size 6 snow pants; and size 12 snow boots. She needs socks and gloves for small child.
Her second-grade girl wears size 6/7 jeans; size 8 shirt; size 6 underwear; size 1 shoes and snow boots; size 7/8 snow pants; and socks and gloves/mittens, size small.
Shelly’s fourth-grade boy wears 12H (Husky) jeans; medium (14) shirts; size 12-14 boxers; size men’s 5 shoes and snow boots; size 14 snow pants; and large youth socks and gloves.
Her seventh-grade boy wears 28w/28l jeans; adult-medium shirt; men’s small boxers; men’s 8 shoes and socks.
Please clearly mark unwrapped gifts with child’s name or gender/grade and bring to Eastgate School in East Helena.
• The “Jones” family is a single mom, “Jill,” and her 11-year-old son, “John,” who will have a difficult Christmas this year. “Jill” has recently been diagnosed with medical problems. She has been denied mental health disability. “John” has been home-schooled and will now need to attend a public school. He is very anxious about leaving his sick mother.
“John” needs men’s sized 10½-11 shoes and XL shirts, pants/sweats. He likes to play with planes, trucks, Legos or Kinex sets, metal works model cars/trucks. Mom would like CDs with calm music, queen sized sheets, size 10 women’s shoes, XL sweaters and large elastic band pants.
• The “Smith” family has a single mom with two girls. Mom has bipolar disorder and is really trying to make it without using government services and finding it very difficult. She struggles to pay rent from little wages earned from her part-time employment. Mom hopes to return to college, someday.
“Jenny” is 3 and needs new shoes, size 9 (kids); 3T pants/shirts; coloring books; dolls; stuffed animals; and puzzles. She also loves anything to do with music and dancing.
“Janey,” 5, suffers severely from PTSD and is unable to attend kindergarten. She needs shoes, size 11 (kids); and pants and shirts, size 5T. Janey would also like dolls and puzzles and loves to play “dress-up.”
• The “Samson” family has a mom and dad who both suffer from mental illness. Mom home-schools their two daughters, “Sarah” and “Sally.” They need a laptop computer to enrich their education.
“Sarah,” 15, wears XL shirts and 14-16 adult sized pants. She needs shoes and wears size 5. She loves to read teen novels.
“Sally” is 14 and needs shoes, size 9, and wears size 16 pants. Both girls like to listen to rap and pop music, wear makeup and would enjoy accessories for their hair. The family needs blankets, pillows and dishes.
Please clearly mark unwrapped gifts with child’s name or gender/grade and bring to the Center’s reception desk at 900 N. Jackson.
The Center for Mental Health, formerly known as Golden Triangle Community Mental Health Center, is a private nonprofit organization serving 13 counties in Central Montana. Each year, the Center’s 300 employees serve over 4,200 individuals, more than 700 of which are children. Offices are located in Boulder, Browning, Chinook, Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Lincoln, Shelby, Townsend, Whitehall, and White Sulphur Springs. For more information please call 1-888-718-2100 or visit www.center4mh.org. All cash and in-kind gifts to CMH are tax-deductible.
GOOD SAMARITAN MINISTRIES
3067 N. Montana
442-0780
Good Samaritan Ministries promotes Catholic social justice teachings to support family life in our communities and enhance human dignity. We provide services to meet the physical health, social, emotional and spiritual needs of individuals and families of all faiths.
Good Samaritan Ministries will be collaborating with Christmas Community Sharing to provide Christmas baskets for individuals in need or those who have fallen on hard times. To make our baskets complete and meaningful we are always in need of stocking stuffers, infant toys and essentials, books for all ages, and gift certificates for music or like items for teenagers.
In addition, Good Samaritan’s Adopt-A-Family ministry needs volunteer families to adopt a needy family for Christmas. Make this a family or office event and experience the joy of sharing with others less fortunate or struggling through difficult times. If you are interested in adopting a family please call Julee at 442-0780; every effort will be made to match you with a family that best fits your availability or family requirements.
The assistance ministry provides for the following when needed: rental and utility assistance, urgent medical travel, limited prescriptions, household furnishings, clothing or food assistance from our small food bank.
Please remember Good Samaritan Ministries throughout the year as we will continue to need your support to meet our mission of serving individuals who come upon rough times.
Volunteers are always needed in the store between the hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. Please remember to donate your unused or unwanted items to the Thrift Store or for our recycling program.
On behalf of the board of directors, staff and recipients of Good Samaritan Ministries, we thank the Catholic parishes, the many other churches in the community of Helena who support our mission, companies, private businesses, individuals, groups and clubs that support our mission.
If you would like to become part of our Good Samaritan team please call the store at 442-0780.
HELENA AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
1531 National Avenue
449-4663 Extension 102
Since 1992, Helena Area Habitat for Humanity has built 28 homes in partnership with income-challenged families. The families contribute to the construction of their homes by putting in 500 hours of sweat equity labor. They repay the costs of the materials and land with a monthly mortgage to Habitat at zero percent interest.
This sensible approach to assisting families in obtaining home ownership enables these families to become productive and caring members of the Helena community.
Helena Habitat relies on contributions to help purchase the building materials and land for these homes. If you would like to help build a Habitat home, please consider contributing funds to purchase one or more of the following items:
$25 — Purchases a light fixture, eight
2-by-6s or bathroom hardware
$35 — Purchases a door latch, bath fan or four sheets of dry wall
$50 — Purchases a kitchen faucet, ceiling fan or a roll of roofing paper
$100— Purchases a bathroom sink, 33 square feet of carpet or 78 square feet of siding
$250 — Purchases a solid wooden front door, a bath tub/shower or a range top
$500 — Purchases a refrigerator, kitchen linoleum or living/dining room windows
Donations can be send to our mailing address at:
P.O. Box 459
Helena, MT 59624.
You can also drop your contribution off at the office at 1531 National Ave.
Helena Food Share
1616 Lewis St.
P.O. Box 943
Helena MT 59624
443-3663 (distribution and
warehouse)
442-6213 (administration)
“I used to donate. I can’t believe that I have to ask for help.” Repeatedly, clients at Helena Food Share have brought tears to the eyes of staff and volunteers with this statement.
The challenges have grown for many of our hard-working neighbors. Since July, the number of local families in need of extra food has skyrocketed. In October, over 3,000 visits were made to Food Share: 1,156 households picked up a Monthly Grocery Box; the others picked up perishable food through the Daily Grocery program.
Thanks to many generous donors, we have not yet had to cut back on the amount of food distributed. With your help, we hope to continue our program operations at their current levels. With over 1,200 area households requesting assistance at Thanksgiving, we know that the need for food assistance will continue to grow in the months to come.
Our greatest need is for food and the funding to purchase food. The food items we most need are:
Perishable foods
Turkeys and roasting chickens for Christmas, potatoes, milk, eggs, margarine, commercially processed game or domesticated meat for the Monthly Boxes
Primary non-perishable foods (canned or boxed items)
Baking goods (pancake, muffin & cake mixes), beans, cereal, hot or cold, chili or Spaghettios, crackers, flour and sugar, fruit, mac and cheese, pasta, peanut butter, rice, soup, tomato products (sauce, paste, diced, etc.), tuna or canned meat, vegetables
Holiday-specific non-perishable items
Cranberries, canned or fresh, stuffing, yams (canned)
Other useful items
Baking items (oil, frostings), condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo), cookies and treats, diapers, larger sizes, infant formula, gelatin and puddings, jelly, juices, paper towels, personal hygiene products, spices, toilet paper
Over 1,200 households received a Thanksgiving meal food box earlier this month. It was a major effort on the part of the Helena community including the coalition of churches led by St. Mary’s and the Food Share volunteers. Now we hope to provide a special Christmas meal to those requesting that help. We expect the need to be as high for Christmas as it was at Thanksgiving. We hope you can help!
There are many other simple items that help our distribution operations. We constantly use boxes to help our clients transport food. These boxes need to be a size that can be carried when full of cans and boxes of food. We also reuse plastic grocery bags so that our clients can carry food home. Many of our clients walk to Food Share. Donations of cloth bags or collapsible, rolling, personal grocery carts would be appreciated by these clients.
With our focus on food purchases, there are many warehouse items that we have put off purchasing. These items help our volunteers and staff with their daily work of safely moving food from stores and donors to the client shopping area at Helena Food Share.
Warehouse requests
• A Rubbermaid flat-topped, two shelf, plastic, rolling cart
• 35-45 gallon garbage cans to replace ours that have holes
• An overhang extension for an uncovered section of our loading dock (15 by 8 ft.)
• Paving for 450 sq. ft. in our back parking lot to park our incoming refrigerated truck
• Concrete work to extend our loading dock cement ramp to reduce the current steep slope
• New, low-energy, fluorescent lights to decrease our warehouse energy bills
• New HFS aprons for volunteers
• A steel hand truck with a load capacity of 600 lbs. with hard rubber wheels and a 15-inch toe plate
• Pallet wrap dispenser
• Climate controlled warehouse plastic door strips to help reduce our warehouse energy bills
• Loading dock bumpers
• A heavy duty snow blower for sidewalk care — and a volunteer to use it when it snows!
We are all so grateful to live in a generous community like Helena. We wish each and every member of our community a warm and wonderful holiday season.
INTERMOUNTAIN
500 S. Lamborn
Helena, MT
Contact: Denni Perkins
459-5191
www.intermountain.org
At Intermountain, we believe families are the bedrock of healthy society. Our Adoption & Family Support Program strengthens families. We place boys and girls ages 3-17 in permanent adoptive homes. Our staff provides extensive training and support to help families build secure and trusting relationships. The focus is on integration, working closely with Helena schools, community therapists and social workers.
Intermountain is in need of a digital camera, microwave, baseball mitts, head lamps, carousel ride tickets, movie tickets, photo paper and drawing supplies. Check out an updated wish list on our Web site www.intermountain.org, under “How you can make a difference.”
CASA/Voice for Children
(for Jefferson, Madison, and Beaverhead counties)
68 Hill Brothers Road
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 925-1405
Voice for Children is a nonprofit organization that helps children in our community when they are removed from their home because of abuse or neglect. When a child’s family is unable to take care of him or her, the court looks to Voice for Children, a volunteer CASA/guardian ad litem program, to provide a voice for the child in court so that the child’s needs are met, and they are in a safe and secure home.
Voice for Children currently serves 14 Jefferson County families whose children are suffering the traumatic effects of abuse and neglect. While Voice for Children involves volunteer advocates, it must continually provide training and support to its volunteers to maintain the high standards of advocacy upon which the court can rely.
Your donations to Voice for Children has a direct impact on the services it provides to these important children of our community. And, a safe and secure home is the best gift of all. Thank you for your help.
Elkhorn Health and Rehab Center
474 Highway 282
Clancy, MT 59634
Christmas gifts — such as clothes for men and women in various sizes, DVDs (TV series, movies etc.), jewelry, calendars, books (inspirational, novels, Westerns), body-wash gift sets, word-puzzle books, coffee-table books, gloves/mittens, hats and wall hangings — would all be greatly appreciated by our residents.
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