Giving to Grassroots: What the season of giving is all about

If you saw the 60 Minutes segment this past Sunday on homeless children living in a truck you might want to know there is a way to help homeless children and families in Howard County. Below is a list of items that Grassroots can use by Dec. 16th.

HOLIDAY WISH LIST 2011 (Please deliver items by Fri.. Dec. 16)

Thank you for your interest in helping out those in need during the holiday season. Items can be dropped off any time at our main location at 6700 Freetown Road in Columbia. Please be sure to fill out a donation slip so that we may properly acknowledge your donation. For any other types of items please contact the shelter office at 410-531-6006 or e-mail to 1enny@grassrootscrisis.org.

Grassroots year-round shelter needs list is available on our web site at http://www.grassrootscrisis.org/wishlist.aspx

Sorry, but we cannot accept donations of stuffed animals, books, clothes, or puzzles.

GIFT CARDS

Donations of gift cards allow Grassroots to make sure that all our residents get something special for the holidays. They work well for both men and women and are perfect for all ages, sizes, and interests.   Gift cards allow parents to personally pick out something special for their own children. Please consider donating a gift card for the following:

•                   Food stores (Giant, Safeway, etc.)

•                   Target/Walmart

•                   Restaurants (McDonalds, Wendy's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A)

FOR TEENS

Grassroots is currently in need of gifts for kids ages 12 and over who reside in our

shelter.

•       Sports Team Items (t-shirts, sweats, wallets, mugs, head bands, etc such as

Ravens, Redskins, Steelers, Terps, available at Walmart, Kohls, and Target

for under $20)

•                   Gently Used Nintendo DS players with games

•                   Inexpensive hand-held video games for teens such as: Simon, Tetris, and
Solitaire (with AA batteries) all available at Walmart & Target for under $20.

•                   DVD's for middle school and high school age (Green Hornet, Diary of a Wimpy
Kid, Soul Surfer, True Grit, Rango, Up, Transformers, Pirates of Caribbean)

•                   Watches and wallets for teens - male and female

•                   CD Players and CD's for middle and high school age (Beyonce, Justin Bieber,
Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Jonas Brothers, Glee)

•                   GameStop gift cards

•                   Footballs and basketballs

•                   Sweats in neutral colors sizes S, M, L, XL (for teens to hang out in)

FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN

•                   Dolls - Cabbage Patch, Dora, Fashion Make-up Brats, Polly Pocket, Barbie

•                   Squinkies

•                   Hexbug robots, Transformers, Lego Sets, and Action figures such as Captain
America, Green Hornet, Power Rangers, Star Wars, Ben 10

•                   Zhu Zhu Pets (with AAA batteries), Little Pet Shop, and My Little Pony

•                   Sweats in neutral colors sizes S, M, L, XL (for kids to hang out in)

FOR MEN AND WOMEN

•                   Bathrobes (all sizes especially XXL)

•                   Sweats in neutral colors sizes S, M, L, XL for men and women

•                   Sports Team Clothing in M, L, and XL Sizes (Ravens, Redskins, Steelers,
Terps, etc.)

•                   Sports Team Items (wallets, hats, gloves, scarves, backpacks, etc)

•                   Personal Hygiene items - Full Size Lotions, Soaps, Body Gels, Cologne

•                   Portable CD players and music CD's            

•                   Heavy winter gloves, hats, and scarves