Cycle Recycle, extended 'til December 11. Every year, Bobbie and Tom Preston collect repairable bikes for refurbishing by Trips for Kids, the Bicycle Hut, and by the inmates at Marsh Canyon Detention Facility. The repaired bikes are given at Christmas to under-privileged children. Most needed are tricycles and junior bikes; please no skateboards. The Prestons have been doing the Cycle Recycle for 14 years, and over 1500 bikes have been gifted to kids. New and/or used, repairable bikes may be delivered to the side driveway of the Preston's home, only through December 11, at 1307 Larch Avenue, Moraga.
A LibraryAL!VE...EVERY dollar, every donor, every volunteer matters!
Since opening November 2009, the Lafayette Library and Learning Center has been AL!VE, serving 765,000 patrons, open 58 weekly hours, 7 days a week and providing programs every day for every age and interest.
And here is a little known fact....the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation funds a stunning 53% of the costs to keep the doors open, programs abundant, and the physical building well maintained! This is no small challenge, and we cannot succeed without YOU!
$50 funds 2 children's science books
$200 funds 1 hour of library services
$600 funds 3 Consortium programs
$1,500 funds updated technology
$5,000 funds a Distinguished Speaker
So, every gift, your charitable gift of any size, makes a difference! Become a member of the LibraryAL!VE Annual Fund by check, online at LLLCF.org or call 925-283-6513.
Holiday Sharing. Many families had a much more enjoyable Thanksgiving this year thanks to a gift of 98 turkeys and 40 complete holiday food baskets provided to the Monument Crisis Center and donated in part by Grocery Outlet and the students at St. Perpetua School in Lafayette. This is the fourth year that the students have worked with the Crisis Center by donating, assembling and delivering holiday meal baskets. The baskets are complete with nutritious food and many seasonal favorites. This year was extra special with the addition of 98 turkeys. Many of those receiving the baskets are seniors on limited incomes and working families. To learn more about the Monument Crisis Center or to donate food, host a food drive or to make a financial donation on-line, please go to their website at www.monumentcrisiscenter.org/donate.
The Moraga Police Officers Association along with S.A.F.E. (Stuffed Animals For Emergencies) is collecting new or gently used stuffed animals to help children through traumatic experiences. The stuffed animals are given to local police and fire departments, which distribute them to children they encounter who have been affected by traumatic events. S.A.F.E also facilitates the distribution of donated stuffed animals for a variety of charitable purposes to help children. This year's annual holiday collection drive begins on 11/23 and ends on 12/27. New or gently used stuffed animals can be dropped off in the collection area located in the lobby of the Moraga Police Department, 329 Rheem Blvd. Thank you for your support!
The wonderful people of Handlebar Toys of Lafayette have kindly offered to host Lamorinda Girl Scout Troop #31983's "2nd annual Toy Drive Event" again this year, from November 25th until December 20th! There are several thousand homeless and needy children that will be served by the Mission this holiday. When purchasing a special gift for a child in your life, please consider choosing something to put a smile on another less fortunate child's face. Thank you so much from Troop #31983!
Make a difference in the lives of women, families, and teens by making a tax-deductible donation to Be the Star You Are!(r) charity in Moraga. New books are being shipped to groups and families across the US who have suffered in recent natural disasters. Checks of any amount may be sent to Be the Star You Are!(r) 501c3, PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556. Or make donations online via PAYPAL at http://www.bethestaryouare.org/donate.htm. $25 provides 5 books, $50 provides 12 books, and $100 provides 28 books. Thanks for caring. Everyone counts!
Donations are needed to fund the final construction of the Lafayette Community Stage at the EBMUD Reservoir. The new permanent stage, initiated by the Lafayette Rotary, will be used for community events like the annual "Concert at the Res" (which funds music programs at our local schools) and many other outdoor performing events. Please send your tax-deductible donations via check to the Lafayette Community Foundation, c/o "Rotary Stage", PO Box 221, Lafayette, CA 94549-0221 or donate online with a major credit card at www.LafayetteCF.org.
Safeway: Help Us End Hunger Holiday Food Drive from November 16 - December 24. Purchase a $10 prepacked bag of groceries which will be donated to the Food Bank. In store barrels will be available to drop off the donation, it's quick and easy.
Whole Foods: From Now until December 31, donate non-perishable items while shopping at the Lafayette Whole Foods store to support the Food Bank, or make a cash donation at the register while checking out. Look for pallets of healthy items on display. You can't miss the bins to collect donated non-perishable items.
Company C Contemporary Ballet is partnering with the non-profit Educational Foundation of Orinda to offer tickets to select performances of the 10th Anniversary Season Winter Program that benefit EFO and the Orinda schools. For every full priced benefit ticket sold to an EFO supporter, the Company will donate $10 of the ticket price to EFO. Benefit tickets are priced $45 orchestra seating, available for the following Winter Program performances: Lesher Center for the Arts, January 20-21 and the Novellus Theater at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, February 17 and 19. Most appropriate for children 7 and older. Benefit ticket buyers must use the code "ENRICH" when ordering tickets. Details may be found at www.companycballet.org.
Thanks to the ongoing generosity of our donors, Trust in Education has grown in its capacity to help Afghan families rebuild their lives and country. We began with a few neighbors in 2003. Now our grassroots organization is supported by thousands who have donated time and money. A critical mass of supporters is essential to our challenge to educate. After all, today's third grader will be a fourth grader next year. Education is the greatest gift we can give a child. Join us by contributing what you can and volunteer your time.
To make a secure online donation go to www.trustineducation.org/get-involved/make-a-donation/
Send a check to: Trust In Education, PO Box 936, Lafayette, CA 94549
Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa
Over 85% of All Funds Go to Meals Served! Loaves & Fishes Is the Most Efficient Hot Meal Provider to the Hungry in Contra Costa County. Help us help the community. Mail Donations to: Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa, 1985 Bonifacio St., STE 100, Concord, CA 94520 or go to our web site at www.loavesfishescc.org/donations.html
On January 9, 2012 a group of Saint Mary's Students will be embarking on an unforgettable journey to Cambodia as part of their 'Jan Term'. Students will participate in the building of village water wells and learn how accessibility to clean water changes local people's lives. They're raising funds to support the building of a community water well in a rural community in the name of Saint Mary's College, and asking the Lamorinda community to donate items including: used summer clothing for children, easy-reader books, flash-cards, old toys (compact), and monetary donations of any amount. There will be a donation drive held outside of CVS in Moraga on December 11th, 10-2. If you can't come then, please contact vtbhatnagar@gmail.com to make other arrangements.
Need Donations?
During the holiday season, Lamorinda Weekly will accept and publish opportunities for local giving. Please send 100 words or less describing the cause, type of donation needed, and where to bring/send it. The organization collecting the donations, or receiving the donations, should be within our extended community. Submissions must be sent to storydesk@lamorindaweekly.com by Dec. 14 for inclusion in our Dec. 21 issue.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA