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How to make holidays brighter for those in need

Submitted by Community Crisis Center

The Community Crisis Center in Elgin is accepting donations as part of its 2012 “Holiday Gifts” request list.

The nonprofit social service agency provides services to individuals and families in Kane County and northwest suburban Cook county who are dealing with economic crisis, domestic violence or sexual assault. For details, call (847) 742-4088 or visit www.crisiscenter.org. The deadline to drop off gifts will be Wednesday, Dec. 19.

For Christmas, each woman in shelter receives a bin filled with useful and pampering items. They will accept donations of complete baskets or the items to assemble the baskets. Please do not wrap any gifts. Suggestions include: pajamas; slippers; hat and scarf set; journals and pens; towel set; alarm clock radios; wristwatches; fleece blanket or afghan; lotion and shower gel set; calendars/day planners — purse size; and $20 gift cards from Wal-Mart or Target.

The list of children’s gift ideas includes: multicultural dolls; Barbie dolls; doll clothes; play dishes; tool sets; toddler/preschool toys; cars/trucks/garage; Legos; board games — all ages; craft and art supplies; and picture books, I-Can-Read books, chapter books.

The list of teen gift ideas includes: watches; radios; diaries and pens; basketballs, footballs or soccer balls; and lotion/shower gel, etc.

The clothing gifts may include: uniforms for elementary age children: navy/khaki pants, skirts, jumpers, 6 to 16; navy, red, white shirts with collars, turtlenecks or sweaters, 6 to 18; and sweatsuits, all children’s and adult sizes.

Donations for the Crisis Center may include: holiday gift wrap/ribbon/bows/tape; DVDs: G, PG, PG-13, for children and adults; batteries: AA, C, D, 9-volt; cookies (homemade or store bought) for lobby guests; pajamas, nightgowns or underwear for children and adult, all sizes; umbrellas; and steam irons, hair dryers and curling irons.

Gifts not used during the Christmas holidays will be used throughout the year for shelter clients (women and children) who have birthdays or other special days in their lives while they are in shelter. The Crisis Center also provides school uniforms and supplies for all children in shelter throughout the year.

If your group is looking for a special project, consider providing a special dinner and/or party for any of the holidays throughout the year. Evenings that include a special meal; bingo for women (with prizes like bath and body care items); games in the playroom for the children; art projects, cookie decorating, etc. are all fun activities that the women and children can do together with a volunteer group. Call Lea C. or Deena at (847) 742-4088 for more information about special projects.

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