By VANESSA McCRAY
TRAVERSE CITY -- The approach of the holidays means baking, shopping and reconnecting.
How about adding volunteering or giving to the Christmas list?
Local agencies need assistance with a variety of Thanksgiving and Christmas projects, and there are plenty of ways to chip in.
"The demand is up because of our economy, but, of course, during the holidays families are always thinking about their children and how they can make the best Christmas for them," said Jan Zolik, volunteer coordinator for The Father Fred Foundation.
A handful of programs make sure needy families have gifts under their Christmas trees. The Community Meals Program serves Thanksgiving and Christmas day meals at Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City. And other organizations rely on seasonal generosity to support fundraising campaigns.
Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan runs a Holiday Needs Program. It collects new baby items, toys, clothing, personal care items and gift certificates. Qualified participants peruse the donations and select the perfect gifts for their family. The program allows parents to be more involved, not just a charity recipient.
Volunteer Kim Stevens of Traverse City helped parents choose special Christmas gifts for their children from among the donated items and plans to volunteer again this year during Goodwill's distribution days. One year, after helping someone pick out presents, the woman wrapped Stevens in a huge bear hug. It's a "meaningful" experience to share, Stevens said.
"It just gives you the Christmas spirit," she said.
Like other holiday gift programs, Goodwill urges people to donate gifts for teenagers. LuAnn Heinert, Goodwill's director of volunteer resources, said toys for young children are usually plentiful, "but it gets pretty skimpy when you get up to the older child and certainly the teens." She recommended donors take their own teenagers shopping to buy a gift that another teen would enjoy.
"Those teens are usually the best source for what a teen would want," Heinert said.
Maybe you don't have money to donate this year, but do have time. The Community Meals Program could use help with its Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Sandra Svec is looking for a cleanup crew to tidy up after the meals at the church. She also could use volunteers to help out in the days leading up to the meals. She expects more than 360 people to come to the church to eat and hundreds more to receive food deliveries. It takes about 120 volunteers on the day of the meal to make all that happen.
Svec also collects personal care items such as shampoo and deodorant and warm winter wear to give out. She especially needs winter coats in large adult sizes, gloves, socks, boxer shorts for men and boots in good shape.
How to give and volunteer holiday cheer
-- The Mancelona Family Resource Center wants people to adopt a family through its Holiday Giving Program. It also needs volunteers to wrap and distribute presents.
-- Artcenter Traverse City wants musical groups to provide entertainment, either musical or theatrical, at its holiday craft show.
-- The Grand Traverse Heritage Center needs volunteers to assist with the Festival of Trains from Dec. 19 to Jan. 3. The center would like to recruit and train a group or business that can commit members to keep regular volunteer hours. Call the center at 995-0313.
-- Habitat for Humanity will host a gift wrapping table at the Grand Traverse Mall and needs volunteers to wrap gifts.
-- The Cedar Area Community Foundation needs volunteers for its Holiday Make and Take event. People can come and make a wreath, table decorations or other holiday craft items free of charge. Volunteers are needed to help with the crafts Dec. 6 from 1-4 p.m.
-- Drop off items for the Holiday Needs Program run by Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan. Starting Nov. 21, new items can be left in a designated box at the Goodwill Retail Store in Traverse City. Among the items needed are diapers, toys and games for children of all ages and gift items for adults, personal care items and everyday necessities. For the Leelanau County program, drop items off at the Radio Shack in Suttons Bay. Volunteers are also needed to set up and help families select gifts during the distribution dates Dec. 15-17. E-mail volunteers@goodwillnmi.org for more information.
-- Community Meals Program seeks donations of money, personal care items and winter coats in all sizes including large sizes to distribute during its Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. Volunteers are also needed to help out before, during and after the holiday meals at Trinity Lutheran Church. Contact Sandra Svec at 263-7130.
-- The Father Fred Foundation is collecting money for hard-to-shop-for teenagers for the Toys for Tots campaign. Donations can be sent to the foundation and marked "Toys for Tots."
-- The Salvation Army needs bell ringers for its annual fundraising effort, which runs Nov. 20 through Dec. 24 at more than 20 area locations. The organization also needs help in its thrift store and people willing to adopt a family to supply Christmas gifts. Contact volunteer coordinator Mary Vollink at 946-4644.
-- Families can volunteer together on Nov. 21 during Family Volunteer Day.
The Volunteer Center at the United Way of Northwest Michigan has more information on many of these volunteer opportunities. Call the center's Amanda Hilt at 947-3200 ext. 206 or e-mail her at amanda@unitedwaynwmi.org.
