'Hope for the Holidays' giving under way

| December 12, 2008 1:00 AM

The Daily Inter Lake

The United Way volunteer center once again has organized a list of ways Flathead Valley residents can help one another during the holiday season.

This year's "Hope for the Holidays' campaign includes:

• Community Kitchen - Feeding the Flathead - A Christmas Day dinner will be served at 6 p.m. on Dec. 25 at Faith Alliance Church, 348 Second Ave. West in Kalispell. Ways you can help: Donate food, gifts for single men and women and children (please mark gift with size and gender); volunteer to help serve dinner between 3 and 8:30 p.m. on Christmas Day; call 752-7337.

• Flathead Youth Home - Their wish list includes gift cards, DVDs, gloves, hats, slippers, socks; call 755-4622.

• People First - Special Friends Advocacy Program - Small gift items are needed for adults with developmental disabilities. Some suggestions include nonperishable food, craft supplies, board games, gift cards, hats and gloves; call 756-5488.

• Samaritan House - The homeless shelter in Kalispell welcomes gifts of personal-care items, gloves and hats; call 257-5801.

• Toys for Tots - The Marine Corps League needs new unwrapped toys or money to buy new toys. Primary drop-off sites are ShopKo, Kari Dodge, True Value Hardware in Columbia Falls, Don K Chevrolet in Whitefish and White Oak Lodge near Somers. Deadline is Dec. 18; call 257-1077.

• Whitefish Rotary Spirit of Christmas - The annual program provides gifts for needy children in the Whitefish School District. To sponsor a child, call 250-8421 or send donations to Whitefish Rotary, P.O. Box 5583, Whitefish, MT 59937.

• Valley Realtor Toy Drive - This annual toy drive is provided by local Realtors for children receiving services through the Child Development Center; donations may be dropped off at any Realty office or call for pick up; call 261-4560.

• Sinopah House - This wish list for girls 12 to 18 in a therapeutic group home includes pajamas and slippers, gift certificates for movies, restaurants and hair cuts, games and socks; call 257-5194.

There are many other giving opportunities listed in United Way's annual "Hope for the Holidays' brochure, including names, addresses and phone numbers of numerous Flathead Valley nonprofits. Copies are available at the United Way office; call 752-7266.

• West Shore Toys for Kids - This project provides gifts for children whose parents can't afford to buy Christmas presents; toys or cash donations can be given by today; call 261-4560.

• Gifts with a Lift - Gifts for patients with mental illness at Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs will be collected through today at Lamplighter House, 410 Windward Way in Kalispell. Hygiene items, blankets, batteries, socks and pajamas are suggested. Gifts also may be given to patients of Lamplighter's day-treatment program; their wish lists include gift cards, hygiene and beauty products, fleece blankets, T-shirts and art supplies; call 257-1336.