Kyra Hubis and Henry James at Mineta San Jose International Airport.

“Henry is in the house!”

The shout out rises from jubilant TSA agents on many Monday mornings at Mineta San Jose International Airport, in San Jose, Calif., as regular visitor Henry James makes his way through security into Terminal B.

With a big smile—and a wagging tail—Henry signals his mutual excitement at seeing his fans. The 5-year-old golden retriever is on his way to his volunteer job as one of the airport’s 13 certified therapy dogs, greeting nervous, frazzled and even distraught passengers, and reducing employees’ stress levels. San Jose is reportedly the first airport to use therapy dogs, and inspired up to a dozen other U.S. airports to launch similar all-volunteer programs in the last two years.

“He loves to go. When we get to the airport his tail starts wagging,” says Henry’s owner, Kyra Hubis, a retired nursing educator who volunteers her time as the airport’s therapy dog program coordinator. Henry and Hubis have been on the job spreading cheer and calming jittery nerves most Monday mornings for three years. She likes to tell the passengers they meet, “Fly on a Monday, and when you buy your ticket you get a therapy dog!”

About a dozen other dogs of various breeds and their owners—all volunteers—are also in the program working other shifts throughout the week. The dogs are certified through the New Jersey-based group, Therapy Dogs International (TDI), one of dozens of such certifying organizations.

“It’s just a joy to see how the passengers relate to it,” says Rosemary Barnes, the airport’s public information manager. People’s faces light up when they see one of the dogs wandering through the terminal. Some are on their way to or from traumatic or stressful events. “It gets people to focus on something other than what they’re doing.”

It was a traumatic day, Sept. 11, 2001, when the first certified therapy dog went to work at San Jose airport. One of the airport’s volunteers asked officials if she could bring her Great Dane named Orion to calm distraught passengers stranded by the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Orion was later joined by a dalmatian named Dolly and a golden retriever named Goldie. Now 14-years-old, Goldie still visits with owner Linda Smith a couple of times a month.

Not all dogs can be therapy dogs, according to Hubis. They must have a calm and friendly temperament, and be able to tolerate loud noises, small children pulling at them, or people running by. They also must be able to ignore tempting distractions like food lying on the ground.

The dogs go through a comprehensive training process, starting with earning Canine Good Citizen certification through the American Kennel Association, and culminating in testing through a therapy dog organization. The volunteers pay for the testing, membership in TDI, and annual vet visits. They must carry $1 million in insurance, available through the organization. In addition, they go through fingerprinting and airport security clearances.

Despite the costs involved, Hubis says they volunteers gladly pay it.

“Everybody who has a therapy dog that I know of is an absolute nut case over dogs,” she laughs. “We’re all completely gaga over our dogs, and we’re happy to share them. The dogs do good work, really good beneficial work.”

Once inside the terminal, Hubis leads Henry through each gate’s seating area, looking for people who might need cheering up. She introduces people to Henry, telling them he’s a therapy dog there just for them. Most people say, “Yes, yes, yes,” Hubis says. Only one person in three years has complained to her that dogs don’t belong in airports, a point Hubis says is moot, since dogs are already in airports as travelers or service dogs.

Small crowds often gather around Henry to pet him, take his photo, and ask Hubis questions. When small children approach, Henry patiently puts up with little hands that tug on his fur, or point near his face.

“Kids in the airport love him,” Hubis says. “Little kids are crawling all over him, lying on the floor with him, scratching his belly, and he eats it up.”

Some people get a kick out of seeing a friendly dog, and some are genuinely in need of the healing a four-legged therapist like Henry an bring. Like the time a woman on her way to visit her seriously ill mother wrapped her arms around the sympathetic dog’s neck and sobbed into his fur for 10 minutes.

One encounter still brings tears to Hubis’ eyes. She and Henry stopped to interact with some soldiers outside the USO on their way to being deployed. One of the soldiers pet Henry, looked straight into his eyes, and said simply, “Buddy, you watch the house while we’re gone.”

Smith, a retired airport employee, recalls the time Goldie spontaneously walked up to a man walking through the terminal. “He reached down to pet her and he said, ‘She knew I needed comforting. My mother just died.’”

It’s not uncommon for people to approach volunteers, sometimes with tears in their eyes, sharing about a beloved dog they recently lost or had to give up due to circumstances. The volunteers listen with a sympathetic ear, while the dogs enjoy the pets and hugs.

San Jose’s therapy dog program operated for many years without much fanfare, but other airports are now taking notice. Officials at Los Angeles International Airport reached out asking for advice before launching their own Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP) program on April 15, 2013. PUP coordinator and Director of Volunteers, Heidi Huebner, says they have 30 certified dogs and their owners participating, and she expects the program to grow.

“This program has made a huge impact on the passengers’ experience when traveling through LAX,” she says. “You can feel the stress level drop, strangers start smiling and talking to each other. People say, ‘This is just what I needed,’ and give the dogs and volunteers a hug.”

About a year before LAX, Miami International Airport welcomed its first and only “K-9 Ambassador” team, golden retriever Casey and owner Liz Miller. The two have their own fan club webpage on the airport’s site, and they received “Volunteer Ambassadors of the Year” awards in April 2013.

On one recent Monday Hubis and Henry were on the job again, greeting passengers and comforting those who needed it.

“See that golden retriever over there?” an airport employee asked the elderly gentleman she was pushing in a wheelchair to his gate. “He’s like the best therapy dog ever. He brightens everyone’s day!”

Hubis and Henry are both happy to be of service.

“It’s been so rewarding, it’s really good,” she says. “I love it and he loves it.”

Did you miss all the Earth Day celebrations around the Bay Area over the weekend? No worries, since Earth Day is this Wednesday, April 22. You can still celebrate on your own, and I have good news for you: you don’t have to add anything to your schedule, only subtract. I’m re-running this post from April 2011 to explain how.

On this 41st Earth Day I have two words for how to be a good neighbor to the planet: SLOW DOWN.

Here are some ways slowing down will make each of us a better neighbor to the Earth. I start with the more obvious ways, and end with a way that may be a surprise.

SLOW DOWN When Driving

Decreasing speed not only makes us a better neighbor to the planet by conserving gasoline and reducing the amount of CO2 emissions, it makes us a better neighbor in our community. Decreased speed saves lives by decreasing the number and frequency of collisions. Better yet, slow down your travel time altogether by walking, biking or using public transportation whenever possible.

SLOW DOWN Energy Consumption

Like conserving gas, reducing how much energy we use at home or at the office helps reduce CO2 emissions. We can slow down how much energy we use by purchasing energy-efficient appliances, weatherizing our homes, and shutting off lights and appliances when not in use. Unplug those chargers for hand-held devices, because they still burn energy even when not charging a device.

SLOW DOWN Food Consumption and Waste

Here in the U.S. we’re killing ourselves with food. Obesity, diabetes and heart disease are on the rise, most disturbingly in children. We eat too much, and we eat the wrong things – overly processed food that no longer resembles the food that comes from the Earth.

Besides the cost to people, there’s a tremendous price paid by the environment (which in turn affects us). There’s a huge amount of energy and other resources that go into processing and shipping food, and there’s an enormous amount of waste involved at the factories, as well as from all the plastic and other packaging used. Add into that all the food we waste at home and restaurants.

We need to eat less, and eat food closer to its natural state (i.e. more whole fruits and vegetables), and focus on a more plant-based diet, rather than a meat-centric diet.

SLOW DOWN Water Consumption

We’ve all heard the warnings. As the population increases and pollution of water sources remains a troubling problem, the greater the chances of there not being enough water for everyone in the future. UPDATE 2015: California now finds itself in possibly the worst drought in the state’s recorded history. Communities are now required to cut use by anywhere from 16 to 35 percent, to hopefully get to an overall reduction of 25 percent statewide. If you haven’t already done so, start cutting way back on landscape watering, collecting water as it heats up for use elsewhere, detecting leaks, etc.

SLOW DOWN Waste Output

We don’t have to send so much waste to landfills. We can use the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – and cut the waste stream down considerably. I’m still working on remembering to take my own bags to shopping. Some weeks I do better than others. But I’ll keep at it until it becomes a habit. Try adding just one new Three R behavior. For me it’s shopping bags, but for someone else it could be learning to compost, or joining the local Freecycle group.

SLOW DOWN Your Life

Here’s where the surprise works in. How does slowing down one’s life equate to being a better neighbor to the planet?

An obvious answer would be that by slowing down the pace of always working, always pushing to do more in our lives, we can invest more time in figuring out how to conserve energy, waste less, and take better care of ourselves through eating real, not fast, food.

Here’s a less obvious answer.

In the Silicon Valley, we travel at very fast pace, literally and figuratively. From my vantage point I see men, women and children who are constantly pushing themselves for more, and more and more. But I would argue that we are in fact going to end up with less, and less, and less.

Less health. Less happiness. Less connectiveness to each other. In the valley that is all about connection, we are becoming less connected, because of the manic drive to succeed.

I watch families all the time that operate at such a frenzied pace because of school work, extra studies and “camps”, combined with youth sports or other extra-curricular activities. I’ve seen both children and parents reduced to tears from all the stress. Yet suggest missing a game, or skipping an activity, and people will look at you like you’re crazy.

One family I know opted off the crazy train of activity this spring, by not enrolling the kids in sports. The mom told me she is relieved for the break from the mania. They eat dinner together every night instead of shuttling kids to practices and games, and one recent Saturday they flew kites together at the park.

When we SLOW DOWN, we have time to remain connected to our families and we can take time to nurture connections with our neighbors. We can also take the time to notice those in our community who are less fortunate, and reach out to help.
On this Earth Day give both yourself and the planet a well-deserved rest. Take a deep breath. Appreciate the people you are connected to, and think about the people in the greater community and world you might connect to.

Honor the Earth on this and every Earth Day by remembering two words:

SLOW DOWN.

Using a very to-the-point message—”Nix the Nuts”—the Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is partnering with 20 local veterinary offices to provide reduced spay and neuter services throughout the month of February. Clients can receive up to 40% off the regular price of procedures in some cases.

“Increasing spay and neuter efforts at this time of year heads off hundreds of homeless litters in the spring and summer months,” says Dr. Cristie Kamiya, HSSV Chief of Shelter Medicine.

In addition, HSSV officials say there are a number of added benefits to spay or neuter your pets, like living a healthier and longer life. For example, it can completely eliminate the risk of testicular cancer in male animals and also reduce the risk of ovarian and other cancers in females. There is less desire for animals to roam, minimizing the interest to mate, spray or mark territory while also decreasing the chances of an accident with a vehicle and fights with neighboring animals.

The HSSV “Nix the Nuts” webpage, hssv.org/snmonth, lists where to find participating veterinary offices. Appointments can also be made with HSSV directly. Residents in several zip codes may even be eligible for free spaying and neutering services; see the webpage for more information.

Spaying and neutering through HSSV includes:

• pre-surgical wellness exam
• anesthesia (pre-med, induction, maintenance)
• peri- and post-operative pain medication
• nail trim
• spay or neuter surgery
• take home pain medication

There are additional charges for those animals that are in-heat, pregnant, cryptorchid and/or obese. All animals must be current on all vaccinations.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (RAKF) is encouraging people to commit 100,000 random acts of kindness by Sunday, Feb. 15, amplifying the kindness by sharing that act online to the world during International Random Acts of Kindness Week.

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Imagine if for one week, all of your social media feeds were flooded with kindness. Uplifting news stories, inspiring quotes, kind comments…for one week everyone united to focus on the positive. That’s the goal of #RAKWeek,” the RAKF website states. The goal is for people to do an act of kindness, and then create a social media post using the hashtag #RAKWeek2015.

Now in it’s 20th year, International Random Acts of Kindness Week began Monday, Feb. 9, and continues through Sunday, Feb. 15. Millions of people around the world participate each year, including classroom students and teachers, community organizations, and individuals. The RAKF highlights dozens of kindness stories from RAK Week, as well as hundreds of kindness ideas, on its website. 

This year the foundation is asking people to make a list of three people: yourself, someone you know, and a blank spot for an unknown person you will encounter during the week. Then make a plan to do one nice thing for yourself, one nice thing for the person you know, and keep an eye out for someone that crosses your path during the week that could use a kind act. Acts of kindness need not be complicated, they can be as simple as smiling at a stranger.

Need more kindness ideas? I’ve got a bunch listed on the Be Kind: Kindness Ideas Page.

Courtesy of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation

Pastor Paul Bains puts out the Warming Shelter sign at Project WeHOPE in East Palo Alto.

Housing more homeless and at-risk adults in East Palo Alto through its successful Supportive Housing Program is the main goal of Project WeHOPE in 2015, the organization recently announced.

“San Mateo is very fortunate to have a partnership with Project WeHOPE. They do a remarkable job at providing a welcoming place – a warm and safe place to sleep, a nutritious meal, and the company of others who are also going through a rough patch in theirs lives,” said San Mateo County Supervisor Warren Slocum.

“Project WeHOPE lives up to its name. It gives the weary what they need to regroup and in doing so, helps them rekindle the hope they need for a better tomorrow. Thank you, Project WeHOPE,” said Slocum.

Launched in February 2014, the Supportive Housing Program started with a vision to give homeless clients the life tools to help them help themselves. It was well received by clients and the various county agencies involved, and as a result of its success, nearly 100 clients have been helped and over 20 have moved into permanent or supportive housing.

Project WeHOPE runs the Supportive Housing Program as a series of on-site classes and sessions with homeless clients for 120 days. Clients take courses in financial literacy, communications, life skills, and many others, as well as meet with a dedicated case manager where together they set weekly goals to improve their situation.

In 2015, Project WeHOPE plans to expand the program in two important ways: the number of clients brought into the program and the number of clients successfully transitioned into supportive housing. Currently 30 clients are in the program at any given time.

“With our educational classes, we offer much more than a warm meal and a safe place to sleep. Our goal is to end homelessness in East Palo Alto for starters, and impact this region in a significant way” said Pastor Paul Bains, Founder of Project WeHOPE.

“With the Supportive Housing Program, we have an opportunity to transform the lives of our clients. When we offer our clients the tools to help themselves, then we’re offering them a chance at a different future and become positive contributors to society.”

As part of the expanded offerings, a Nutrition and Cooking class was added, which will be taught by Karen Gitter, a representative of Whole Foods and in association with the Second Harvest Food Bank and Jamie Oliver Food Foundation. Also added this year is a men’s accountability and support group called Stepping Up, guided by Bains, helping male clients work through issues specific to men.

Graduates of these courses will be honored on May 4, 2015 at a special banquet dinner. The community is welcome to attend. Visit Project WeHOPE’s website at www.projectwehope.org for more information.

The old year is put to bed, and the New Year is still waking up and getting started. As you rise up with it, consider some ways to make this year a little happier for you and those around you. You can make a difference in the lives of the people you come into contact with with only a small amount of effort. Here are five ways you can be a good neighbor this year. Can you suggest more?

1) Seek First to Understand: By now we’ve all seen the Internet memes out there with Plato’s quote, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard (or harder) battle.” Next time you encounter someone who seems like he or she is about to bite your head off, consider the person might be having a really bad day, or is going through a painful time. If it’s someone in a store or on the road, let them pass and silently wish them well. If it’s a friend, co-worker or family member, save the tart response and ask a few questions. Hey, are you having a bad day? What’s up?

2) Schedule in Chance Conversations: Years ago my neighbors told me it always looked like I was in a hurry to get somewhere. I winced a little, because I knew that meant they didn’t think they could approach me, since I appeared to be too busy. I was too busy because I kept packing my schedule too tightly. Now I space out my meetings and appointments and pad in some time for unexpected meetings with neighbors and other people that come across my path.

3) Stretch Your Budget: How much money did you give away to charity last year? If you’re like most Americans, you gave somewhere around 3 percent of your income. Challenge yourself to give just a little more this year, maybe by 1 or 2 percent. Give to causes you really care about, and do a little research to make sure your contributions are going to reputable organizations.

4) Decrease Screen Time: The term “digital detox” is getting a lot more play these days, probably because we’re all coming to the conclusion that more time staring at a glowing screen is not necessarily better. It’s easy to get sucked into scanning the latest social media posts, watch “one more episode” of a great TV show, or rack up points or collect badges on a favorite game. Unfortunately, like junk food, it’s not that healthy for us in the long run, and it’s definitely does not promote healthy relationships or social interactions.

5) Show Your (Civic) Spirit: Get educated about issues in your town or city by spending a little time reading the local newspaper or news website, attending a City Council meeting, or joining a neighborhood network like Nextdoor.com. When controversial issues come up, study the issue and consider what is the best outcome for the entire community in the long run, especially if those on the margins are involved, like the very young, the very old, or those in need. In other words, don’t be a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard). We all don’t like change, but sometimes change is the best thing for the health of our community, no matter how it impacts us as individuals.

Toys for Tots Poster, 1948

Make this holiday season even merrier by brightening the lives of Bay Area children with donations of toys, clothing, food, and other needed items. Dozens of nonprofits are waiting for people like you to drop by a new, unwrapped gift, or to make an online donation.

Below is an extensive list of San Francisco Bay Area holiday toy drives, their drop-off locations, needs, and deadlines, organized by area. Click on the links to visit organizations’ websites.

Can’t drop off a donation? Many are taking online donations, or will provide an address for checks.

Know of a toy drive we missed? Tell us below in the comments. We’ll update the list with new information as it comes in.

All Over the Bay Area

CHiPs For Kids  

What it is: Annual toy drive for kids in need conducted by the California Highway Patrol.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys; also accepting canned goods.

Deadline: Dec. 16

Drop-off Locations: Any Golden Gate Division CHP office, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Family Giving Tree

What it is: Every year The Family Giving Tree fulfills the holiday wishes of more than 70,000 low income children and seniors in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Needs: See the website for how to donate to an online drive.

Deadline: Ongoing

Phone: 408-946-3111

Also see under South Bay below.

Sleep Train Foster Kids Secret Santa Toy Drive

What it is: Collecting new toys and other gifts for foster children in the Bay Area.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys, books, and games.

Deadline: Dec. 15

Drop-off Locations: See the website for a complete list of store locations.

Toys for Tots

What it is: One of the biggest, oldest toy drives in the country conducted by members of the United States Marine Corps.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys, or monetary donations.

Deadline: Varies by area.

Drop-off Locations: See the website for information by area.

East Bay

Building Futures

What it is: Provides shelter and support to women and children who are homeless and victims of family violence.

Needs: Toys and other gifts from wish list on the website.

Deadline: Dec. 16

Drop-off Location: The Building Futures office, 1395 Bancroft Avenue, San Leandro.

Oakland Mayor’s Community Toy Drive 2014

What it is: Bringing smiles to Oakland’s children in need.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys, or online donations. No toys of violent nature, please.

Deadline: Dec. 23

Drop-off Locations: see the website. 

Richmond/El Cerrito Fire and Police Holiday Toy Program

What it is: Providing new toys for children in need in the western Contra Costa County area.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys, or online donations.

Deadline: Contact the organization.

Drop-off Locations: Any fire station in west county.

Marin

Santa Cop Toy Drive

What it is: Annual toy drive for children in need, co-sponsored by the police and fire departments of San Rafael, the police and fire associations of San Rafael, and the International Footprinter Association, Chapter #15.

Needs: Unwrapped, new toys and games.

Deadline: Contact the organization.

Drop-off Locations: All over San Rafael; see the website for list.

Novato Human Needs Center

What it is: Serving low-income families.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys and games for babies, children, and teens.

Deadline: Dec. 1 – Dec. 17, open 2-6 p.m.

Drop-off Location: Novato Human Needs Center, 1907 Novato Blvd., Novato.

See the website for more info.

Peninsula

The Children’s Fund of San Mateo County

What it is: Making sure that children in the juvenile justice system, low income children and foster children receive a gift at the holidays.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys, board games, books, clothing, gift cards of $25, and sports equipment, such as basketballs or soccer balls.

Deadline and Drop-off Locations: Contact the organization for more info.

Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos

What it is: Community agency helping those in need.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys, pajamas, gifts for teens, healthy food donations.

Deadline and Drop-off Locations: See the CSA website for more info.

Ecumenical Hunger Program

What it is: Helping those in need in East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, and Menlo Park.

Needs: Grocery store gift cards, gifts for teens, turkeys, hams, chickens, monetary donations, volunteers.

Deadline and Drop-off Locations: See the EHP website for more info.

The Edgewood Center

What it is: Helping children, teens, and families who have suffered abuse, neglect, and mental illness.

Needs: New, unwrapped gifts, gift cards, monetary donations. Note: They will not accept used stuffed animals or any war-themed or weapon-type toys.

Deadline: Dec. 19

Drop-off Location: 957 Industrial Rd., Suite B, San Mateo.

See The Edgewood Center’s website for more info.

Redwood City Toy Drive – Need to check 

What it is: A collaboration of police and fire groups in Redwood City collecting toys and books for local children in need.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys and books, monetary donations.

Deadline: Contact the organization.

Drop-off Locations: A complete list is available on the website, but you might want to call ahead first.

Samaritan House

What it is: Serving low-income families in the San Mateo area.

Needs: See the Samaritan House website.

Deadline and Drop-off: Contact the organization.

San Francisco

The Edgewood Center

What it is: Helping children, teens, and families who have suffered abuse, neglect, and mental illness.

Needs: New, unwrapped gifts, gift cards, monetary donations. Note: They will not accept used stuffed animals or any war-themed or weapon-type toys.

Deadline: Dec. 20

Drop-off Location: 1801 Vicente Street, San Francisco.

The Edgewood Center’s website for more info.

San Francisco Fire Fighters Toy Program

What it is: Providing toys to children in need, from infants through age 12. The organization is year-round, sponsoring many events during the holiday season.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys, or online donations.

Deadline: Dec. 1 – Dec. 23

Drop-off Locations: Any San Francisco Fire Station; see the website for a complete list.

South Bay

AACI Asian Women’s Home Holiday Gift Drive 

What it is: The Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) operate the Asian Women’s Home, offering care and shelter for women and children experiencing domestic violence and other serious issues.

Needs: $40 Target gift cards, new toys, arts and crafts supplies, winter clothing, and sporting equipment. Other gift cards and monetary donations also welcome.

Deadline: Dec. 12

Drop-off Location: Call the agency at 408-975-2730, ext. 226 to arrange drop off.

See the website for more information.

Alum Rock Counseling Center

What it is: Counseling and intervention programs for at risk youth and their families. The center is providing a virtual Santa’s Workshop for approximately 200 children and teens.

Needs: New toys, bikes, large rolls of wrapping paper, tape, ribbons and bows, baskets, tinned cookies, candy, nonperishable food, bottled water, financial contributions.

Deadline: Dec. 14

Drop-off Location: Call Stephanie at 408-240-0070.

More information at www.alumrockcc.org.

Bill Wilson Center 

What it is: The center helps youth who are homeless, runaway, in foster care, have aged out of the foster care system, or having family problems.

Needs: Gift cards (Target, grocery stores, etc.) so that the teens and young adults can pick out exactly the items they need and want.

Deadline and Drop-off: Contact the center, 408-243-0222.

Website: www.billwilsoncenter.org.

Campbell Mom Squad Holiday Toy Drive to Benefit EMQ FamiliesFirst

What it is: Every year this group of Campbell moms sponsors a holiday toy drive to benefit EMQ FamiliesFirst, a nonprofit that helps children with mental health issues.

Needs: Infant toys, sporting goods, art supplies, action figures, dolls, board games. They do not accept stuffed toys or books.

Deadline: Dec. 14

Drop-off Locations around Campbell:

Simply Smashing!
Campbell Parents Participation Preschool
Toys Toys Toys
Sonoma Chicken Coop, Campbell
Tessora’s Barra di Vino
Tiny Tots Diaper Service & Baby Boutique
The European Cobblery of Campbell
Los Gatos Orthopedic Sports Therapy, Inc
The Shop at Flywheel Press

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County

What it is: Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County serves 40,000 individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs through more than 50 programs and services each year.

Needs: Toys and games for ages 5-15, jackets and sweatshirts for boys and girls ages 5-15, warm blankets, housewares, bus passes for youth and adults, babies and children’s items, diapers, toiletries, and household goods. New and gently used items accepted.

Deadline: Contact organization at 408-325-5125

Drop-off: 2625 Zanker Rd., San Jose.

Website: www.catholiccharitiesscc.org

The Center for Employment Training

What it is: Skill training and human development.

Needs: Christmas items for older youth ages 12-19 enrolled in day education program.

Deadline and Drop-off: Contact the center at 408-213-0961.

Website: http://cetweb.org

City of Saratoga Holiday Toy and Food Drive

What it is: Every year the city collects new, unwrapped toys, and non-perishable food to distribute to needy families.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys, non-perishable food.

Deadline: Toy Drive ends Dec. 17; Food Drive ends Dec. 19.

Drop-off Locations: Both food and toys may be drpped off at the Joan Pisani Community Center, 19655 Allendale Ave., or the City Manager’s Office, 13777 Fruitvale Ave. Food may also be dropped off at the Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave., and the Saratoga Prospect Center, 19848 Prospect Rd. The Saratoga Historical Museum, 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Rd., is also accepting toys.

See the City’s website for more info.

Community Solutions

What it is: A comprehensive nonprofit human services agency serving children, families and individuals in South Santa Clara County. The Holiday Giving program provides gifts and necessities to low-income families.

Needs: Grocery cards, gift cards, diapers (especially large sizes), warm blankets, socks of all sizes, baby items, chunky baby books, sweatshirts (especially men’s sizes), and cleaning supplies. All items must be new, unused items.

Deadline and Drop-Off: Contact Paige Day at 408-846-4713.

More info at the Community Solutions website.

The Family Giving Tree

What it is: Every year The Family Giving Tree fulfills the holiday wishes of more than 70,000 low income children and seniors in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area.

Needs: Pick up a wish tag at participating Wells Fargo and Comerica Bank locations, or donate online.

Deadline: Ongoing

Phone: 408-946-3111

Gardner Health Services NAVIDAD En La Comunidad Project 

What it is: Each year the project hosts a one-day distribution event to pass out food baskets, toys, coats, and resources to San Jose families in need.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys, gently used coats, food staples.

Deadline: In time for the Dec. 20 event; contact organization for details.

Drop-off Location: Contact Rose at 408-938-2172.

Website: www.gardnerfamilyhealth.org.

Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley

What it is: The agency is collecting new, unwrapped toys, gift cards and cash donations to help more than 1,100 families, adults, and seniors.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys, gift cards, cash donations.

Deadline: Ongoing

Drop-off Location: 14855 Oak Rd., Suite 202, Los Gatos, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Fridays. You can also donate toys and money online at embraceafamilysv.org.

More info at www.jfssv.org.

Los Bomberos of Northern California Annual Holiday Toy Drive

What it is: Latino Firefighters Association collecting new, unwrapped toys for children in need.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys.

Deadline: Donations accepted starting the week after Thanksgiving until Christmas Day.

Drop-off Locations: San Jose City fire stations.

The Mercury News Gift of Reading

What it is: The San Jose Mercury News partners with RAFT (Resource Area For Teaching) to bring the magic of books to Bay Area children.

Needs: New or like-new children’s books; cash donations.

Deadline: Dec. 15

Drop-off Locations: Throughout the South Bay; see the website for a complete list.

The Portuguese Community Center

What it is: Helping those in need in the Portuguese-speaking community.

Needs: Toys, food, clothing, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, paper towels, socks, gloves, monetary donations.

Deadline: Contact the organization at 408-293-0877.

Drop-off Location: 1115 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays.

Website: www.portuguesecenter.org

Sacred Heart Community Service

What it is: San Jose nonprofit that helps support local families in need, 70,00 people annually.

Needs: New, unwrapped toys, bicycles, frozen turkeys, and pop-topped canned food. They especially need gifts for teenage boys. You can also donate money and items online: sacredheartcs.org/holidays.

Deadline: Contact the organization, 408-278-2160.

Drop-off Location: 1381 S. First St., San Jose; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Fridays, and; 9 a.m.-noon, Saturdays.

SJB Child Development Centers

What it is: Providing educational development services to children ages 0-12 in Santa Clara County.

Needs: New books, new or gently used computers.

Deadline: Contact the organization, Natasha Orozco, 408-414-2700.

Drop-off Location: 1400 Parkmoor Ave., Suite 220, San Jose.

More info at the SJB website.

Sunnyvale Community Services

What it is: Annual toy and gift drive to provide a happy holiday for hundreds of Sunnyvale families.

Needs: New toys and gifts for children ages 7-11, nonperishable food items—especially healthy cereal, canned tuna and chicken, peanut butter, jelly, canned soup, and canned tomato products—new household items, gift cards for families and teens.

Deadline: Dec. 12

Drop-off Location: 725 Kifer Rd., Sunnyvale. Drop off hours through Dec. 1 are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 2-12.

Website: www.svcommunityservices.org

The Unity Care Group

What it is: Helping foster youth and families in need.

Needs: $25 gift cards to stores such as Target, Old Navy, Macy’s, etc., Christmas trees, holiday decorations, blankets, and monetary donations.

Deadline and Drop-off Location: Call 408-510-3480.

See the Unity Care website for more info.

West Valley Community Services

What it is: Annual toy and gift drive to provide a happy holiday for hundreds of families in Cupertino, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, and West San Jose.

Needs: See the complete list on this PDF. Or make a monetary donation on the website.

Deadline: The agency is accepting toys and gifts Dec. 3-10, for its Holiday Shopping Spree program.

Drop-off Location: 10104 Vista Dr., Cupertino. The office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm; Tuesday and Thursday 8am – 8pm; the office is closed everyday from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm for lunch.

Buying a turkey this weekend for your Thanksgiving table? Pick up one or two more frozen birds to donate to local charities, and while you’re at it, consider buying canned hams, canned soup and other nutritious nonperishable foods to help feed the more than 780,000 children and adults in the San Francisco Bay Area estimated to face hunger on a consistent basis.

Nonprofit organizations throughout the Bay Area are putting out the call for turkeys not only for Thanksgiving, but other holiday meals. On Friday, Nov. 21, officials from Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties announced they were only a little over halfway to their goal of collecting 13,000 turkeys.

Below is a list of agencies collecting turkey and other foods this holiday season. Did we miss one? Tell us in the comments section below.

Bay Area Food Banks

Find the food bank near you by visiting www.bayareahunger.org. The website represents seven food banks serving 11 Northern California counties. All the food banks are in need of frozen turkeys and other holiday meal staples.

Your donation could even win you a pair of tickets to see the 49ers play the Seattle Seahawks on Thanksgiving Day if you donate frozen turkeys or chickens to Second Harvest by Monday, Nov. 24. 

Peninsula

Ecumenical Hunger Program

Needs: Turkeys, hams, and chickens

Drop-off Location: 2411 Pulgas Ave., East Palo Alto, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, through Dec. 22.

Website: www.ehpcares.org

South Bay

CityTeam International

Needs: Frozen turkeys and canned nonperishable food items

Drop-off Location: CityTeam Family Service Center, 1297 N. 13th St., San Jose, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Website: www.cityteam.org

Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen

Needs: Frozen turkeys, 5 lb. canned hams, new, unopened bottled salad dressings

Drop-off Locations: Call the agency at 408-998-1500

Website: www.loavesfishes.org

Martha’s Kitchen

Needs: Frozen turkeys, 5 lb. canned hams

Drop-off Location: 311 Willow St., San Jose, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Closed Thanksgiving weekend and Dec. 24-Jan. 1.

Website: www.marthas-kitchen.org

Sacred Heart Community Service

Needs: Frozen turkeys, pop-top canned food

Drop-off Location: 1381 S. First St., San Jose, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays, and 9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays.

Website: www.sacredheartcs.org/holidays

Jacob Goeders, the Leukemia Slayer, may have conquered cancer and moved clear across the country this year, but he’s not about to let go of his beloved annual Santa Slayer Project he started four years ago to buy Christmas gifts for other kids fighting the disease.

Jacob, 13, announced to Facebook fans on Tuesday, Nov. 18, that he’s repeating the Santa Slayer Project, asking for only $1 from each of his more than 10,500 fans. The money will go to buy gifts for children at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital (LPCH) in Palo Alto, as well as on the oncology ward at the Duke University Medical Center and the Ronald McDonald House, in Durham, North Carolina. Jacob’s family moved to the southern state from Mountain View earlier this year.

Jacob and his family announced in March of this year that he had won his battle with Leukemia, which started with a diagnosis in December, 2010. As Christmas 2011 approached, Jacob remembered how difficult it was to be in the cancer ward around Christmastime. He asked his then approximately 2,000 fans on Facebook if they would chip in $1 each so he could buy gifts for the children, even though he himself was fighting Leukemia. He raised more than $2,o00, and the annual Santa Slayer Project was born.

One of Jacob’s fans here in the San Francisco Bay Area, Grace Fanelli Howell, is helping coordinate buying and distributing gifts at LPCH.

“I was feeing sad that I would not be at LPCH this year to continue my Santa Slayer tradition, but one of my good friends, Grace, who has helped me with lots of other projects over the years has offered to continue Santa Slayer in my name for the kids at LPCH!” Jacob told his Facebook fans. “So I guess this means the Santa Slayer project has expanded to both coasts!”

To donate, see the Facebook event page. Donations are being accepted through Dec. 12.

Being a good neighbor is rewarding, but it does take some time and effort. Sometimes it’s spontaneous, like when you see someone who needs help carrying something, or someone who just needs a smile and kind word. But often it requires some planning, making space on the calendar, and digging into your pockets. Every month I give you five suggestions for community events, volunteer service events, and more. Put one of these on your June calendar, and then enjoy the rewards of helping others!

1. Share Some Fried Dough Goodness: Friday, June 6, is National Donut Day, originally started to commemorate the Salvation Army “Lassies,” young volunteer women who made and delivered fresh doughnuts to American soldiers in Europe during World War I and II. When the soldiers returned home they craved the sweet treats, and the rest of America was introduced to the doughnut. Krispy Kreme gives away a free doughnut to each customer (no purchase required), and many other doughnut shops are running their own specials. Make your friends and co-workers smile that day with a fresh, hot batch. Or make the day a little more meaningful than just calories by making a donation to the Salvation Army, to support the organization’s extensive community programs and disaster relief efforts. Entenmann’s, which makes 780 million doughnuts annually, is teaming up with the Salvation Army this year, by offering to donate $1 for every new “like” on its Facebook page during June, up to $30,000.

2. Build Some Happy Trails: Work off those Donut Day calories on Saturday, June 7, National Trails Day. Organizations and parks all over the Bay Area are sponsoring trail building and maintenance events. The Golden Gate National Parks (GGNP), along with other organizations, is sponsoring several trail events in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties. It includes building an all new trail—The Veterans Trail—which will connect the Veterans Medical Center A with the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. See the GGNP’s website for more information. Or go on one of many organized hikes all over the Bay Area. Check your county park system or nearest open space district for listings.

3. Donate Blood: The World Health Organization (WHO) is promoting World Blood Donor Day on June 14. The purpose of the day is to “raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.” This year’s theme is “Safe Blood For Saving Mothers,” bringing awareness to the fact that 800 women a day die around the world due to complications from childbirth, where access to blood and blood products could have made a difference. Consider donating blood this month to one of the local blood banks, like the Stanford Blood Center. You’ll feel better knowing you helped someone who needs the life-giving fluid (and there’s juice and cookies at the end!).

4. Let Sparks Fly With Dad: There are lots of ways to celebrate Dad on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15, including learning how to build a safe fire—without matches(!)—at the Father’s Day Adventure Fire Making event at Garin/Dry Creek Regional Park in Hayward. It runs from 10 a.m. to noon, and is open to ages 8 and up.

5. Scamper Up Support for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital: Sunday, June 22, is the 4rth Annual Packard Summer Scamper event at Stanford University. Families and individuals will be running and walking to raise funds for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. Registrations for the event are sold out, but you can still participate by donating to the walk, or showing up to cheer on walkers and runners. Our friend The Leukemia Slayer, Jacob Goeders, is running once again, leading Team Leukemia Slayer. All the money Jacob is raising goes to research into finding cures for childhood cancers. See his fundraising page for more details.