Charities search for help as holiday season nears

By JOAN PATTERSON

SPECIAL TO VIEW

A group of teen-agers this month will be collecting canned goods in Harriet Bernard's neighborhood for a food drive aimed at feeding those in need this holiday season.

The project is not being organized by a large, well-connected group, and there are no radio disc jockies or TV newscasters broadcasting the event. It is, in fact, the result of one woman -- Bernard -- who has some very big ideas about what can be done through hard work and the tenacity of a bulldog.

Bernard, who moved to Las Vegas just one year ago and admits to being somewhere in the 60-something age bracket, is organizing the food drive in Peccole Ranch in Southwest Las Vegas. Her plans are to give the food to the Salvation Army for their holiday food baskets -- baskets that will allow some struggling families a warm holiday meal. She has recruited teen-agers from local high schools to collect the food.

For Bernard, doing the right thing comes naturally.

In Maine, where she lived for more than 40 years, she did volunteer work for several groups, including the Girl Scouts, Police Athletic League and the American Cancer Society.

"I think I was in the yellow pages under `V' for volunteer," she joked.

Local charities receive a lot of donated items, including food, toiletries and clothing, from area businesses. But they welcome the aid of individuals such as Bernard and small groups with the will and compassion to make things happen, according to area spokespersons.

While local nonprofit groups encourage year-round giving whether it be through donated items or volunteer work, this time of year seems to be when people are most conscious of those in need.

The Salvation Army, for example, receives the bulk of its donated items during November and December, items that have to last the remaining 10 months of the year, said Salvation Army spokesperson Sumner Dodge. It is also a time of holiday dinners and Christmas toy drives, not to mention a homeless population that fills the shelters due to inclement winter weather.

"The Salvation Army can't do what it does every Christmas without the community," Dodge said. "We probably need even more help this year than last year. So we need strong community response to help all these thousands of families in need."

There are plenty of ways residents can help out this season, from serving holiday dinners to putting together food baskets to donating coats to the homeless.

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, which runs 20 programs to help those in need, used volunteers to put together and deliver approximately 350 Thanksgiving food baskets last week.

The group, which serves 1,500 meals a day to the homeless at the St. Vincent Plaza dining hall at 1501 N. Las Vegas Blvd., also needs nonperishable food items and men's toiletries for its shelter, particularly toilet paper, says spokesperson Sharon Mann. Men's coats are also in demand as winter approaches, as are clothes for adults and children and baby supplies such as diapers.

Those interested in volunteer work can call 385-2662. Those interested in donating items can call 383-0766 or take the items to the St. Vincent Plaza.

Area businesses will also serve as collection centers for Catholic Charities, including Village East Cleaners, 4025 S. Eastern Ave., which is sponsoring a clothing drive; Comic Oasis, 4250 S. Rainbow Blvd., which is giving away a free comic book for every can of food; and Rite Aid Pharmacies, which is collecting food at store locations throughout town.

Salvation Army will supply barrels and boxes with the group's logo for those interested in collecting food in their neighborhoods. The organization also will be making food baskets during Thanksgiving and Christmas and providing at least 1,300 holiday dinners in the on-site dining room, Dodge says. Those interested in learning more can call 870-4430, Ext. 18.

Additionally, the charity is hoping to do better this year with its angel tree program, which provides clothes and toys to children for Christmas.

"Last year we only got half of what we needed. We had a difficult time getting these children taken care of," Dodge notes.

Those interested in helping out can visit local malls beginning Friday, stop by the angel tree displays and pick one of the angel tree tags. Each tag contains a child's wish list.

The Mobile Assistance Shelter for the Homeless (MASH) will be increasing its population on Dec. 15 by erecting a tent for an additional 250 men in need of shelter for the winter, said spokesperson Bob Rohlman. That means the organization is in need of food and clothing.

Other specific items include toiletries, socks for adults and children, feminine hygiene products, gloves and hats, lip balm, sunscreen and rain ponchos. Those interested in helping out can take items directly to the shelter at 1559 N. Main St., or call 388-0088, Ext. 242.

Volunteers are also needed to serve Christmas dinner, and helping hands are always welcome in the organization's thrift shop, medical clinic, children's services room and job resource room. For more information, call 388-0088, Ext. 275.

Shade Tree, a shelter for homeless women and children, also offers certificates to stores such as Target and Wal-Mart to be used as Christmas gifts for the older children, and donations toward those certificates are also needed.

There is always a need for powdered laundry detergent, throw-away cereal bowls, individually wrapped snacks such as juice boxes, bus tokens, stamps and toiletries, DeSouza said. For more information, call 385-4596 or 385-0072.