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SALT LAKE CITY — In a state known for its volunteering, many are gearing up to for holiday service.
Utah was ranked No. 1 in the nation for volunteerism for eight straight years, according to the Volunteering and Civic Life in America 2013 report. In keeping with tradition, more than 300 churches, community groups and businesses in Utah will fill an anticipated 20,000 shoeboxes with school supplies, hygiene items, accessories and toys, to be delivered to children affected by war, famine, natural disasters or other tragedies in 120 countries around the world.
“It’s just people realizing how blessed we are here in the United States, and we have a responsibility to take care of these kids and let them know that they’re loved,” said Allison Long, area coordinator for Operation Christmas Child in northern Utah.
In addition to the items in the boxes, each child will receive a booklet called "The Greatest Gift of All" that describes the story of the birth of Jesus, in an attempt to let children know the gift was given to them "in the name of Jesus," Long said. Dropoff dates run from Nov. 17 to 24, but boxes can also be mailed to national headquarters. For more information visit samaritanspurse.org.
Operation Christmas Child is only one of the ways in which Utahns can get involved this holiday season.
The Road Home
The Road Home, 210 S. Rio Grande St., has several holiday service opportunities. Its current push is to provide a turkey box, or Thanksgiving meal, to hundreds of those who have moved from the shelter to housing, so they can provide their own holiday meal.
Volunteers can assemble boxes and deliver them to the Road Home where case managers will deliver them to families. Box items include grocery store gift cards — for families to purchase a turkey, ham and pie — a disposable roasting pan, canned vegetables, stuffing mix, instant potatoes, gravy mix and cranberry sauce.
Candy Cane Corner is a holiday store for families in the Road Home shelter and housing programs. Here, parents have an opportunity to choose new, unwrapped gifts for their families. Volunteers can help sort and wrap donations throughout December, or donate themselves by selecting items on the Wish List. To volunteer visit candycanecornerslc.org.
Local media stations will broadcast live from the Road Home for the 2014 Holiday Media-a-Thon, Dec. 18 and 19, to help bring in donations to the shelter. To help with the media-a-thon, visit www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c49afa92faafd0-2014.
The Road Home is also accepting donations for men's gift bags containing hygeine items and warm accessories, to go to more than 800 men in the shelter programs. If interested email Kelli Parker, volunteer coordinator, at kparker@theroadhome.org.
For more information on volunteering visit theroadhome.org.
Forgotten Patient
Utah State Hospital houses severely mentally ill children, youths and adults. Many of these individuals have "little support" from their families and would likely be forgotten during Christmastime were it not for donations, according to Shawna Peterson, director of volunteer services at Utah State Hospital.
Through its Forgotten Patient Christmas Project, about 300 patients will be remembered. For many of the adults and teens at the center, Christmas is the one time each year when they can receive something new.
"Struggling with a mental illness is never easy, and spending the holidays at the hospital can be a very difficult and lonely time. This project has not only provided much needed physical comforts, but emotional ones as well," Peterson said.
To sponsor a patient, call Peterson at 801-344-4254 or email speterson@utah.gov.
Public guardian
The Office of Public Guardian provides for those who are adults without family and who lack the ability to make their own decisions.
These individuals have little to no income and lack some basic necessities. Those interested can donate bedding, blankets, clothing, slippers, hats and other warm items. People can also volunteer to spend time with the clients.
To participate, call the Office of Public Guardian at 801-538-8255.
Crossroads Urban Center
In addition to their ongoing food pantry and thrift store services, Crossroads is trying to make sure all Utah families have Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. In 2013, they provided 3,417 Utah families with Thanksgiving meals and 936 families with Christmas meals.
Few volunteer spots are open to help with Thanksgiving meals, to be distributed at the Urban Indian Center, 120 W. 1300 South, Nov. 26, between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., or until supplies run out.
Anyone can donate $10 each time they shop at Harmons Grocery, to go toward this year's Thanksgiving. Harmons will match every donation received.
People can also give "all different kinds of food" to the Crossroads Urban Center, 347 S. 400 East, for the Christmas dinner, according to Glenn Bailey, Crossroads Urban Center executive director. Families can also help with the Christmas dinner, hosted on Dec. 23 at Rowland Hall, by calling Mary N. Wetzel at 801-924-2968.
The meals help struggling families meet their needs during the season, Bailey said.
“It’s just easier to get through the month and celebrate like everybody else does and not be left out. That’s basically all there is to it.”
Another way to help is to donate money to the Crossroads Urban Center or participate in the Eccles Broadcast Center Christmas Food Drive, where food, money, coats and blankets will be collected on Dec. 12.
Utah Refugee Center
The center will be providing Christmas to refugee families and needs people willing to sponsor families and individuals.
They especially need items for teens ages 12 and older, ages where there are "serious gaps" in donated items, according to Deb Coffey, director of the Utah Refugee Center. Those interested in helping can call Coffey at 801-541-6240 or email dcoffey@utahrefugee.org.
Salvation Army
The Christian group offers food to the needy, social services and addiction rehabilitation, among other services. Its members take on the identity of soldiers combating "spiritual warfare."
Volunteers can help with the annual Red Kettle Campaign, the Salvation Army food pantry or in a variety of other ways. For information on how to assist, contact Vickie Young, Salvation Army volunteer coordinator, at 801-323-5888.
Additional opportunities
Families can give gifts or sponsor a family or child for Christmas by being a Sub for Santa through the United Way or by selecting a family in the charity section in the KSL.com classifieds.
Individuals and families can also volunteer their time at the Festival of Trees this year, between Dec. 3 and 6, at the South Towne Expo Center. For more information visit festivaloftreesutah.org.
