The following is re-printed here (unedited) with permission from the author. Thanks Carolyn.
Carolyn Livengood: Children's Fund of San Mateo County collecting gift donations
By Carolyn Livengood
Find out what's happening in San Brunowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
San Mateo County Times columnist
Posted: 11/22/2013 12:01:00 AM PST
Find out what's happening in San Brunowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Updated: 11/22/2013 10:11:57 AM PST
The Children's Fund of San Mateo County is collecting gift donations for its 2013 Holiday Program to be distributed to children in need, ranging in age from newborn to 18.
The program is designed to ensure children in the juvenile justice system and low-income and low-income and foster children throughout San Mateo County receive a gift for the holidays.
The fund is in need of new, unwrapped toys, board games, books, clothing, and sports equipment, such as basketballs or soccer balls. Gift cards of $25 from retailers are also welcome.
Work sites and businesses are urged to participate in the program's Barrel Drive by displaying a barrel for the collection of toys.
Other ways to help include fulfilling individualized gift requests of children through the program's Gift Tag Drive or by volunteering at Holiday Central, the Belmont drop-off and sorting facility.
To make a tax-deductible donation, volunteer, obtain a barrel, or ask questions, call the Children's Fund at 650-802-5152 or email www.childrensfund@smchsa.org.
"The entirety of your donations to the Children's Fund goes directly to the children and their families with no administrative cost to the program," wrote San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne J. Tissier and Burlingame Police Chief Edward Wood, chairman of the Children's Fund Advisory Board, in a letter.
Founded in 1973 by Child Protective Services social workers, the Children's Fund offers goods and services that are not available through public funding to children in need, including more than 500 foster care children.