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More from Local NewsThis holiday season, the most sought-after presents for some Simi Valley teens do not include a car, the iPhone or a new gaming system.
Gift cards to Starbucks or Blockbuster, as well as movie tickets, wallets, DVDs and makeup will do just fine.
Simi Valley's Care & Share needs presents to give to teenagers — a group that tends to gets overlooked in donations during the holidays.
"Everyone gives toys for children, but we don't have nearly enough teenage gifts. This year there's hardly anything for them," said Kittie Fiddermutz, a social service aide with Care & Share.
The nonprofit is an emergency service for families. In addition to helping seniors and families with 350,000 meals during the year, Care & Share also helps families provide presents for their children at Christmas.
And this year, the nonprofit had more wish lists than ever before. In part because of the recent layoffs at Amgen and Countrywide, more than 800 families are asking for help to give presents to their children, an increase of more than 300 from last year.
"A lot of people were laid off; this year is a tough one for many families," said Veronica Rubio, director of Care & Share.
Right now, there are about 400 gifts in storage, but volunteers are looking for 4,000 gifts to distribute to families, with each child or teen receiving two small items, one large item and an outfit.
The nonprofit wants to give the requested gifts to parents next week so they can be wrapped and put under the Christmas tree.
Groups like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as well as companies and area high schools are also helping with donations. Many schools sponsor "Angel Trees," which include the names and wish lists for each child or teen.
They will bring in those presents to the nonprofit today, Fiddermutz said.
In addition to toys and clothes for children, requested items for teens include watches, purses, jewelry and CD players. Any type of gift cards suitable for teens are also needed.
This weekend, Care & Share and Girl Scout Troop No. 118 of Simi Valley will host a visit from Santa Claus at the Santa Susana Railroad Depot & Museum.
The visit will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 6503 Katherine Road in the Santa Susana Knolls development in Simi Valley. All families are welcome. A donation of a gift or nonperishable food item is appreciated.
Donations are also accepted at Care & Share, 5924 Los Angeles Ave., Unit F, where it shares a space with the Salvation Army.
It is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 522-5676.
Posted by hotwildflower on December 14, 2007 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You would think that companies such as Starbucks and the local movie theatres would have the ability to give gift certificares for their service items. The value is far more than what it would actually cost them...heck, I would think they could even write it off.
Just an idea...
Posted by RC on December 14, 2007 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Christmas is so commercialized.....My parents both worked very hard and there were times when they could not afford presents for us and we dealt with it by singing Christmas Carols, going to midnight mass and making home made gifts etc, not by getting hand outs. Who says everuyine needs a gift for Christmas. BAH HUMBUG!
Posted by sunnbear on December 14, 2007 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RC, a bit cynical are we? It is the season of giving. Sometimes pride sucks!
Posted by RC on December 14, 2007 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Call it what you want...cynical, scrooge whatever...we should be giving to one anohter all year not just Christmas and giving something does not necessarily mean anything material. It could be your time, love, attention, encouragement etc.
Posted by danp on December 14, 2007 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with RC. They mention the whole "Amgen and countrywide" layoffs. Maybe they should think about helping kids that live near skid row in LA, not kids that want a new game for their playstation. Or want giftcards for $5 cups of coffee, when there are people who will go without eating a meal.
Posted by rebel123 on December 14, 2007 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
RC and danp: did Santa leave you coal last year? Man.....talk about grinchyness. If those who can afford it and have the inclination to do so want to give something to local teens who otherwise would not receive anything, where's the harm? RC, your childhood sounds tough. There is plenty to be learned from humble times but there's also something to be learned about the generosity of strangers who would open their hearts and pocket books to make Christmas a little better for the less fortunate.
Posted by LC on December 14, 2007 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Uh, perhaps Care and Share could up a couple of Saturday mornings per month in order to accept donations from those who work from 10 to 3, Monday through Friday, which would include most of us, I imagine.
Posted by RC on December 14, 2007 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am bored so I am going to comment again on this subject…I guess my thoughts are why just Christmas? So it can temporarily make someone that is giving feel good for a commercialized holiday? If people want to be generous, sincere and open their pocket books and hearts don’t you think it should be done all year round not just during a holiday Season? Also I don’t think it is wrong to teach a child, teen-ager etc that if they can’t afford it, then they can’t have it…if times are tough sometimes they have to go without. That is why people are so much in debt with their credit cards, bankruptcies etc because they get and want things they can’t afford.
Posted by res1q7et on December 14, 2007 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When I was a teenager, and ward of the court due to child abuse, a social worker gave me presents one year. It meant so much to me to get that Mickey Mouse t-shirt and teapot. I have never forgotten the kindness. That act of kindness bestowed upon me reminds me to think of and help others.
Posted by kenclubber on December 14, 2007 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Are we talking about the same people from Amgen and other high dollar jobs who made BIG bucks in the past years?
Posted by LVNtoRNnotinVenturaCounty on December 14, 2007 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Forget about Starbucks. We tried a couple of years ago for a Starbucks donation of gift cards for hospital staff(specifically nurse's aides, housekeepers, etc..) during the holidays. We figured since hospital staff were frequent customers they would be willing. Starbucks told us that they couldn't since that would set a precedent for others to request donations. After that incident, I switched to Coffee Bean.
Posted by Nosmo_King on December 14, 2007 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
res1q7et......Thank you for your comment. That was a nice Christmas message.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on December 15, 2007 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hotwildflower ,I agree and yes they can write it off for a tax deduction. Even movie rentals from Blockbuster etc would be nice !!!!
rebel123,I agree. It doesn't have to be an expensive playstation game. A pack of t-shirts,some boxers,Pajamas,just plain tshirts or sweatshirts would be great. Even McDonalds gift certificates.Its better to give them to recieve.
RC ,It should be year round. Alot of counties have Coats for kids . They should have those for teens also,they probably do.....And when school starts ,backpacks ,pens etc. would be greatly appreciated. So if you know a family that needs help then lend a helping hand when your able.....
res1q7et ,Thankyou for your comment. It does mean alot. When you go back to school and people ask what did you get for Christmas? At least they could mention a few things and have a new outfit to wear.
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