From Toys To Trees, There Are Many Ways Volunteers Can Give A Little Holiday Help

Looking for ways to help those in need this holiday season? Here are some options in South King County:

Ivar's Seafood Bar in Renton is collecting toys for needy children in South King County who are served by the Salvation Army. Unwrapped new toys or used toys in good condition can be dropped off at the restaurant, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. Information: 226-2122. Auburn Community Fund: Donations of pet food and cash are being accepted at veterinarians' offices and shops in Auburn. Donations will be distributed with Community Fund food baskets at Christmas. Locations of pet-food bins and collection jars: Green River Veterinary Clinic, 4212 Auburn Way N.; Auburn Veterinary Clinic, 718 Auburn Way N.; Auburn Valley Animal Clinic, 936 Auburn Way S.; Forest Hill Veterinary Hospital, 3240 Auburn Way S.; Pup-N-Suds, 3242 Auburn Way S.; and Auburn Lawn and Garden, 308 W. Main. Information: 939-7739, 833-7824 or 833-8925. Giving Tree: The Caboose Club will sponsor the Giving Tree at Freighthouse Square in Tacoma. Santa will be at the market Sunday to present gift baskets filled with canned and dry goods, fruit and candy to more than 50 needy families from Pierce County. If you know of a needy family in the area or want to volunteer, call 627-2442 or 627-3187. Kent Youth and Family Services seeks donations of children's board games, puzzles, Legos, yard games, and arts-and-crafts supplies. Information: 630-9462. Toys for Tots: Auburn and Kent firefighters are collecting new and used toys in good shape for their annual Toys for Tots campaigns. Toys and donations will be accepted at both Auburn fire stations at 1101 D St. N.E. and 1951 R St. S.E. until Dec. 22. For more information, call 833-8925. Kent locations: Station 71, 504 W. Crow St.; Station 72, 25620 140th Ave. N.E.; Station 73, 25612 Military Road S.; Station 74, 24611 116th Ave. S.E.; Station 75, 15635 S.E. 272nd St.; Station 76, 20676 72nd Ave. S.; Station 77, 21006, 132nd Ave. S.E.; and the fire-prevention offices, 400 W. Gowe St. Information: 859-3322. Christmas toy bank: Sixteen Federal Way-area churches will sponsor the ninth annual toy bank from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the gymnasium of Steel Lake Presbyterian Church. Toys and other gifts have been donated through local churches, the Federal Way Food Bank or the Giving Tree in SeaTac Mall. Those wishing to receive a gift should register at the food bank. Information: 838-5611. United Way of King County: Every year the Volunteer Center for United Way of King County provides lists of volunteer opportunities for members of the community. There are plenty of agencies that need volunteers. For more information or a list of all the agencies, call 461-3655. This is a voice-mail number that operates 24 hours a day. The United Cerebral Palsy Association of King-Snohomish Counties, 4409 Interlake Ave. N., needs money and gift donations - small personal-care items (perfume, cologne, makeup), mittens, hats, knit slippers, books on tape, movie passes, batteries, bird feeders and seed. Call Ed Stevens, 632-2827. Domestic Abuse Women's Network, P.0. Box 1521, Kent WA 98035. Work with Adopt-A-Family coordinator to solicit gifts from individuals and businesses. Information: 656-4305 or 251-5847. Kent Youth and Family Services, 232 S. Second Ave., Suite 201, Kent. Adopt-A-Family needs clothing, food and toys. Call Connie Stockton at 859-0300. King County Multi Service Center, 1200 S. 336th St., Federal Way, needs help delivering toys, food and presents tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Volunteers are also needed to help sort food donations. Call Denise, 838-6810. Pediatric Interim Care Center, 233 S. Second Ave., Kent. Designers are needed to help create a new look and hang wallpaper at the office. Call Patricia Allen of Barbara Richards, 852-5728. Regency at Renton Rehabilitation, 80 S.W. Second St., Renton. Volunteers are needed to help with holiday parties at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 22 and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 23. To volunteer or make a gift donation, call Linda Croasdill, 226-4610. Salvation Army, 720 S. Tobin, Renton. The Salvation Army needs five to 10 volunteers daily Tuesday through next Thursday to distribute toys and gifts as part of its Toy and Joy program. The organization also is accepting toy donations for children under 15. Call Leslie or Pearl, 255-5969. Washington Women's Employment and Education, 841 N. Central Ave., No. 232, Kent. Buy gifts and groceries for a family during the holidays through the Adopt-A-Family program. Call Lynn or Jodie, 859-3718. Spirit of Giving Tree and the Federal Way Food Bank need help through Dec. 24 at SeaTac Mall in Federal Way. Information: 941-9238. Tree of Hope: Good Samaritan Community Healthcare and the Sandra Smith Memorial Fund will offer a Tree of Hope to benefit uninsured or underinsured hospice patients. Contributions made by community members are recognized by placing doves on a tree in the Good Samaritan Hospital lobby. To remember or honor a friend or loved one through the project, call 841-5668, Ext. 2970. Santa Claus fund-raiser: The Des Moines Lions Club will hold its annual event, featuring an appearance by Santa, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Albertsons, South 260th Street and Pacific Highway South. You may take your own pictures with Santa for a donation of food, or a Lions member will take a Polaroid for $2. Proceeds go to the Des Moines Food Bank. Information: 824-3614.

To donate food

The Des Moines Food Bank depends on individual contributions from the community to serve 850 low-income families each month. Send checks to: Des Moines Area Food Bank, P.O. Box 98746, Des Moines, WA 98198. Cash or food drop-off: Des Moines United Methodist Church, 22225 Ninth Ave. S. Information: 878-2660. The Union Gospel Mission expects to supply Christmas food baskets for 600 families. Donations needed: canned vegetables, fruit, coffee, powdered milk, cranberries, candy, nuts, cake and pudding mixes. Information: 723-0767, Ext. 107. The Salvation Army Food Bank is collecting food donations. 211 Morris St., Renton. Information: George or Dawn, 235-6445. Enumclaw Helping Hand and Kiwanis Food Bank, 1350 Cole St., Enumclaw. Serves Enumclaw School District only. Information: 825-6188. Maple Valley Food Bank, 21415 Maple Valley Highway. Gives out food bags, government commodities and Christmas baskets. Also serves Covington, Ravensdale and rural Maple Valley. Information: 432-8139. The Pierce County Food Bank has four locations in Tacoma: Northwest, 383-1813; Old Town/Hilltop, 383-1810; South Tacoma, 383-1816; Southeast Tacoma, 383-1815. Fresh-food donations: The Federal Way Fire Department needs donations of fresh food just before distribution Monday and Tuesday. Any store or individual who can provide turkeys, milk, eggs, cheese, potatoes and butter should call 927-3118. Other food banks: All local food banks need food, clothing and money. Call the Auburn Community Fund, 833-8925; Federal Way Emergency Services, 838-6810; or the Highline-Burien Food Bank, 244-9100.