How to help: Delaware holiday food and clothing drives
Delaware-area charities and churches are gearing up their annual holiday drives for clothing, food, toys and other items.
Here’s a list of some of them we already know about.
If you’d like to have your drive included in this list, please email information to beprice@delawareonline.com about the event, including specifically what is sought, when, where it should be delivered, the deadline, who benefits, who is sponsoring the drive, where drop-off points are and a daytime phone number for an organizer.
We plan to print a list every week in the Sunday News Journal, space allowing, and publish it at delawareonline.com through the end of the year.
Winter Coat and Canned Food Drive
The New Castle County Division of Police’s Community Service Unit is hosting its fourth annual Winter Coat and Canned Food Drive on Dec. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is held at the Garfield Park PAL at 26 Karlyn Drive in New Castle. Collection bins will be located in the lobby of NCCPD at 3601 N. Du Pont Highway, New Castle. Contact Cpl. Kristen Hester at (302) 395-8059 with questions.
BTL, Hanover turkey baskets
The BTL Foundation and the Hanover Presbyterian Church in Wilmington will once again offer free turkey baskets to needy families of four or more. The distribution will take place at the Hanover Presbyterian Church at 1801 N. Jefferson St., Wilmington. Food closet norms will be observed.
To register for a free turkey basket, call (302) 658-5115 on Nov. 14 starting 9 a.m. All requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, and you must speak with someone directly to be on the list. Please do not leave a voicemail.
The two groups are accepting canned goods and frozen turkeys to fill food baskets. Drop off donations at the church anytime from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tax-deductible contributions and checks can be sent to the BTL Foundation, 114 Mettenet Court, Hockessin, DE 19707. You also may donate via PayPal/credit card online at www.btlfoundation.org.
State hospital, health center seek "adoption" for residents without family
The Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna and the Governor Bacon Health Center in Delaware City are seeking support from the community in “adopting” residents for the holidays who have little family involvement or support.
Both institutions rely on neighbors, local businesses, workplace groups, community organizations and volunteers to help fulfill residents’ wishes during the holidays. Groups that wish to adopt several residents are welcome. The state suggests three ways to help:
• Adopt-A-Resident: Donors are provided with the identification code and wish list of a resident. The sponsor is asked to buy the items on the wish list and deliver them unwrapped in a gift bag to the Volunteer Services Office at the facility of their choice. Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill is at 100 Sunnyside Road, Smyrna. Governor Bacon Health Center is at 248 Kent Ave., Delaware City. (Access by Del. 9 Reedy Point Bridge.)
• Monetary donation: Make a donation by gift card or check and leave the shopping to nursing home staff. Donations may be mailed to Volunteer Services Office: Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, 100 Sunnyside Road, Smyrna, DE 19977, or Governor Bacon Health Center, P.O. Box 559, Delaware City, DE 19706
• General donation: Purchase items from a list of suggested gift items that will be emailed to you or can be picked up in the lobby at each facility. These items are used during the holidays to fill gift bags for residents who have not been adopted. Any remaining items are used throughout the year to fill resident birthday bags and special requests for residents.
To participate, email Jennifer.Bobel@state.de.us or call (302) 223-1011 and let her know your name, how you would like to help and how to contact you. The hospital asks that items be delivered by Dec. 5 to allow staff time to update lists, do any last-minute shopping and ensure every resident has a gift bag to open on Christmas. Gifts may be left at the switchboard reception area in either facility seven days a week. Please mark them for Volunteer Services, with the resident ID number included.