How can you help? Wish list from nonprofit agencies, March 25

The Arc of Racine

The Arc of Racine is an organization that provides advocacy, support and education to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. All donations are greatly appreciated.

• Items or gift certificates for a Spring Silent Auction (May 26)
• Sponsors for Walk 'N Roll Fundraising event (June 25)
• Volunteers to help with fundraising events
• Gift cards to use as door prizes 
• Cash donations 
• Used cars, boats for our Car Donation Program (cars will be towed from your location if needed)

To donate please call our office at (262) 634-6303 or email us at info@thearcofracine.org

Caledonia Historical Society

The Caledonia Historical Society is seeking donations of the following:

• Interior and exterior paint for our depot and caboose
• Crushed stone for trackbed
• 18-foot logs (six are needed) for our cabin

 Contact Michael E. Michna, president, at (262) 758-2131 or via email at chs1877@yahoo.com.

Housing Resources Inc.

Housing Resources Inc. is a HUD-approved agency that provides training for first-time home buyers as well as post-purchase foreclosure-prevention counseling and assistance.

Needed:

• Legal-size filing cabinets, two-drawer or four-drawer

If you would like to make a donation, contact Mark Schultz, program manager, at (262) 636-8271, or at Housing Resources Inc., 1442 N. Memorial Drive, Racine.

Love, Inc.

• Good, used cars
• Food for food pantry
• Funds for food pantry
• Gas cards
• Christmas adopt a family
• Mentors for Starfish/Big Brother/Big Sister program
• Volunteers 
• Forklift
• Drivers 
• Good used furniture for our store

For more information, contact Bill Schoessling at Love, Inc., 480 S. Pine St., Burlington, WI 53105 or call (262) 763-6226.

Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan

Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Program

• Volunteers to provide the kindergarten child abuse puppet show
• A portable puppet stage (before September)
• Copies of parenting, food (recipes), general magazines in Spanish, for use as resources for parents.

Contact Lana DeVinny at (262) 619-1633 if you would like to volunteer, donate items to SCAN, or have questions about the program.

Sexual Assault Services

• Volunteer advocates to answer our 24-hour crisis line and respond to hospitals in Burlington and Racine
• Gift cards from Target, Office Depot or other discount stores
• Fun-size/individually wrapped candy

Contact Katy Adler (262) 619-1634 if you would like to volunteer, donate items to SAS, or have questions about the program. Any donated items for SCAN or SAS can be dropped off at our office at 1220 Mound Ave, Suite 304, Racine, WI 53404

Lakeside Curative Services

• AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
• Wheelchair accessible passenger van new or gently used
• Guitars
• Autoharp
• Spiral hole punch
• Overhead projector
• Portable GPS unit
• Adult, wide-seat wheelchair
• Gas leaf blower
• V-Tech learning device
• Painting easels
• Gasoline gift cards
• Gift cards for craft supply stores
• Men's and women's underwear, all sizes
• Medium and larger size sweat pants

Please contact Angeline Markiewicz or Mary Beth Popchock at (262) 598-0098 for more information.

The Cops 'N Kids Reading Center

It is the mission of the Cops 'N Kids Reading Center to enable and empower all children to strive toward the fundamental successes in life through recognition of the importance of reading.

The Cops 'N Kids Reading Center is in need of:

• New and gently used children's books
• Paper towels
• Copy paper
• Electric pencil sharpener
• A laptop computer
• Cash donations to help fund field trips
• A librarian to manage the small library and to serve the children and staff using the library

To make a donation or volunteer, contact the Reading Center at (262) 632-1606 or drop off donations at the Reading Center Monday through Thursday from 3-6 p.m. at 800 Villa St., Racine.

ITNRacine County Inc.

ITNRacine County Inc. (Independent Transportation Network), provides affordable transportation options for seniors ages 60 and older and those with visual impairments.

It replicates the feeling of personal car ownership by giving rides in volunteers’ vehicles any day, any time and for any reason. Volunteers set up their own availability schedule.

Wish list:

• Volunteer drivers
• Air dusters for computers
• Two 6-foot banquet tables
• Six banquet table chairs
• Binder clips 
• Cash box
• Coat rack
• Compartment organizers 
• Cork board with push pins
• Dry-erase board and markers
• Employee mailboxes (acrylic)
• Envelopes, clasp 4-by-9
• Envelopes, window
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Hammer and nails
• Headset (hands free)
• Six meeting table chairs
• Pamphlet holders 
• Electric pencil sharpener
• Pencils (packages)
• Pens, blue  (packages)
• Pliers and screwdrivers
• Pocket folders (with and without paper clasps)
• Power strips
• Projector (for PowerPoint presentations)
• Sharpie markers
• Smoke alarms
• Forever stamps  (rolls of 100)
• Step ladder/stool
• Toolbox
• Wall clocks
• Window blinds

Donations may be dropped off at ITNRacineCounty Inc., 4900 Spring St., Racine. Call (262) 885-1177 for more information.

Women's Resource Center

• Diapers, diaper wipes, ointment 
• Over-the-counter medications for children and women
• Disinfecting wipes and sprays
• Hand sanitizers
• Food
• Nonperishable snack, for kids
• Gift cards: Home repair stores, gas, pharmacy
• Felt for storyboards
• Journals (lined and unlined)
• Fast food gift certificates: McDonald's, Wendy's, Chuck E. Cheese
• Calculators - for high school; scientific for grade school; Casio FX-260
• Coffee pot (for shelter)
• Towels (for shelter)
• Deodorant
• Body wash, large bar of soap
• Hair brushes / combs
• Hair products (gels, hairspray) for diverse ethnicities
• Camping lanterns (for when the power goes out)
• Batteries (all sizes, including 9-volt)
• Formula
• Highlighters
• Combination locks
• Exercise DVDs and tapes
• Nightstands
• Comfortable stuffed chairs
• Forever stamps (a book of stamps that reads first class and never goes up in price)
• Household cleaning supplies
• Bleach
• Laundry detergent
• Laundry fabric sheets

For more information, including a street address at which to drop off donations, contact Barb W., Cherie G. or Sue S. at (262) 633-3274.

Tech Corps Wisconsin

Needed: A pallet jack with a scale to better allow the Tech Corps. to manage computer recycling.

To make a donation, or for more information, contact Executive Director Michael F. Pitsch, Tech Corps Wisconsin Inc., 2051 Lathrop Ave., Racine; phone, (262) 619-0931; email executivedirector@tcw.org

The Racine Symphony Orchestra

• Reams of white and bright-colored paper (8.5 x 11)
• Forever stamps
• Gift cards from Office Depot or OfficeMax

Items may be dropped off at the Racine Symphony Orchestra office at 800 Center St. Office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (262) 636-9285 for additional information.

New Day Drum and Bugle Corps

• Two 15-passenger vans to transport our children to and from performances and practices.
• New horns 
• Drum heads 
• Bass drum sticks
• Cash donations to purchase these items
• Money to purchase new uniforms (about $10,000)
• More members to march in parades with the corps

A new permanent home if someone would like to make a donation of a building and some property that are in decent condition

Contact Renee Heider at buttercupwi1011@hotmail.com or (262) 412-6314 to make arrangements to make any donations.

ANGEL Inc.

ANGEL Inc.'s mission is to offer financial and emotional support to each individual child and family with an autism spectrum disorder with compassionate guidance, and delivery of therapies or services of that family's choice.

The organization also offers support to Wisconsin families of children with autism through meetings, conferences, social outings and networking parents-to-community, and parent-to-parent resources.

Volunteers for:

• Grant writers
• Planning and running small local events
• Event helpers
• Brochure and flier designers

Items ANGEL could use for events:

• Large clear storage bins
• Forever stamps
• Printer paper
• HP Laser Jet M1522nf toner cartridge CB436A
• Epson Workforce 310 Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow ink cartridges
• gift cards for fundraiser events (Walmart, Sam's Club, Pick 'n Save, Piggly Wiggly, Woodman's, Office Max, Office Depot, Local Restaurants, etc) 
• Items for gift baskets for raffles
• Craft items
• Items made of 80 percent or more wool, including sweaters, blankets, wool scraps, etc. Items can be with or without holes and be mixed wool/angora, etc.

Donations may be dropped off or mailed to at the home of Cindy Schultz, Southeastern Wisconsin ANGEL Advocate, 2530 Iris Court, Racine WI 53402

For more information, email Schultz at angelofautism@hotmail.com or call her at (262) 639-3041.

The John XXIII Educational Center

The Educational Center, a new ministry of St. Patrick's Parish, offers programs for middle school and high school students in an effort to prepare them for success in high school so that they can graduate with various career choices and with the leadership skills necessary to become leaders in the Racine community.

Supervised study hall, individual mentoring and tutoring sessions are offered Monday through Thursday from 3:30-5:30 and from 7-8:30 p.m. The new Educational Center is open to children of all religious affiliations and racial backgrounds. A minimal cost of $25 per semester is requested to help defray the cost of supplies and materials.

Items that would be greatly appreciated include:

• Vinyl bean bags for library
• Computer headphones and speaker
• Xerox paper
• Magic markers
• Boxes of colored pencils, crayons, paint sets
• Scissors
• Pencil sharpeners
• Students' backpacks

Donations may be dropped off at 1101 Douglas Ave. For more information, call (262) 898-7250.

Racine Vocational Ministry Inc.

Racine Vocational Ministry Inc. assists unemployed and under-employed individuals prepare for, find and retain employment. RVM also provides employers with quality ready-to-work employees. For more information about RVM, visit: www.rvmracine.org

Our current needs include:

• Two-pocket folders
• File folders
• Styrofoam cups
• Post-it notes
• Colored copier paper (green, blue, other colors)
• Matching set of bookshelves
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Printer/photocopier paper
• Cleaning supplies (shop broom, dust pan, industrial mop, bucket)
• Committee members for the board, including marketing, human resources, resource development and finance.

To donate items, contact Racine Vocational Ministry, 214 Seventh St., Racine, at (262) 633-8660 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday for more information.

Racine Family Literacy

• Multimedia projector
• Laptop (relatively new)

Donors may contact Racine Family Literacy Executive Director Richard Marciniak at (262) 898-3968 or at richard@racinefamilyliteracy.com

SMILES

SMILES is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization whose purpose is to improve the lives of children and adults with special needs through a partnership with horses. The horse is a powerful motivator and participants receive a host of physical and emotional benefits while riding and communicating with their four-legged friends. Virtually anybody can experience positive gains, regardless of age, disability, or current situation, as they are empowered by this large but gentle animal.

Volunteers, 13 years and older, are needed for so many aspects of the program:

• Grooming and tacking the horses before classes begin
• Leading and/or side walking with the horse and student
• Cleaning stalls and barn area
• Feeding and unloading hay

No experience is necessary and training is provided.

Not sure about helping in the barn? How about:

• Fundraising - special events
• Advertising - marketing
• Photography
• Office help
• Cleaning
• Yard work

For further information, call Katie, the volunteer coordinator, at (262) 882-3470 or email her at volunteer@smiles.Nu

Below is SMILES' wish list:

Horse/barn supplies

• Soft lead rope
• Wintec wide tree 14
• Stable forks and barn brooms
• Box stall fans
• Shavings and hay
• English and Western reins
• Brushes and clippers
• Small youth saddles
• Dressage girths
• Draft-size fly masks
• Joint mobility supplement
• Small skid steer
• Limestone
• Saddle soap
• Barn floor sealant
• Pyranha fly spray
• Bleacher ground preparation

Office supplies

• Copy paper and envelopes
• Metal halide bulbs
• Avery 5160 labels
• Forever stamps
• Printing services
• Colored hanging folders
• Flat-screen monitors
• Newer laptop computer

Fundraising supplies and misc.

• Paper plates
• Plastic utensils
• Paper bowls
• Paper towels and Kleenex
• Paper cups and coffee stirrers
• Anti-bacterial hand soap
• Large trash bags
• Febreze
• Clorox disinfecting wipes
• Gift cards

Donations are appreciated for the following:

• General operating
• Scholarships for those in financial need
• Facility improvements
• Sponsor a horse
• Equipment needs
• Endowment fund to secure the future of smiles

Engrave a brick in our patio with your message:

• Memorialize loved ones
• Honor a veteran
• Acknowledge special dates and happenings
• Permanently display your business or company name

For questions, visit the SMILES website at www.smiles.nu or call SMILES at (262) 882-3470 or email smiles@smiles.nu

Donations can be dropped off at N2666 County Road K, Darien, Wis.

Bethany Apartments

The mission of Bethany Apartments is to provide Transitional Housing to women and children who have suffered from domestic abuse. 

Bethany Apartments provides safe, decent affordable housing and opportunities for survivors of domestic abuse to regain their self-esteem, pursue educational opportunities, employment and a new beginning. Bethany Apartments is  sponsored by the Racine Dominicans and the Wheaton Franciscans.

Items on our wish list

• Diapers size 3 and 5
• Copier paper
• Vacuum cleaner
• Fabric softener sheets
• $ 10 gas cards
• Cleaning supplies 

Please call (262) 633-9446  or email cmh@bizwi.rr.com for information on dropping off donations.

Friends of the Library

Friends of the Library needs donations of the following:

• Books, fiction and nonfiction for children and adults
• Videotapes
• CDs
• DVDs
• LPs 
• Magazines

We do not accept encyclopedias or Reader’s Digest condensed books. 

Proceeds from the sale of the donated books fund library programs not covered by the annual budget. Books may be dropped off at the front desk of the library. 

Contact the library with any questions or call Hazel Dickfoss at (262) 886-9133.

Developmental Disabilites Information Service Inc.

DDIS, is a private non-profit agency serving adults and children who are diagnosed with developmental delays encompassing severe emotional or physical disabilities that create substantial limitations in pursuing daily activities.  

For more information about our organization, visit: www.ddisracine.org 

Volunteer for:

• Grant writer for nonprofit

Items that would be greatly appreciated are:

• Brother toner: HL-5250DN printer
• Copy paper
• Post-It notepads
• Forever stamps
• Universal classification folders
• Accordian files
• Glue sticks
• Clasp 9 ½ -by-12 mailing envelopes
• Monetary donations

All items can be dropped off at our office: 1220 Mound Ave., Suite 312, Racine, WI  53404 or if you would like us to pick up, please contact Kris Fell or Tina Coates at (262) 637-2707.  Contact Kris Fell if you would like to volunteer your services as a grant writer.

Focus on Community

Families and Schools Together (FAST) is a family support program for parents and families whose children may be at risk for school failure, juvenile delinquency, and alcohol and other drug abuse.

FAST is a collaborative program including Focus, Lutheran Social Services, Racine area schools, and parents. FAST uses a family based approach that strengthens parent-child relationships, helps families feel more comfortable in their interactions with schools and community resources, and builds parent support groups.

Funders include United Way of Racine County, Racine County Human Services Department, and donations from generous residents of Racine County.

Each week, one family is presented with a gift basket of practical items to use at home. Please help us fill our gift baskets with NEW items of your choice or NEW items from the list below.

• Board games (Chutes and Ladders, Clue, Sorry, Candy Land, Cranium, Life, Scrabble, Operation) 
• Small toys for boys and girls, under $8 (E.g. cars, yo-yo's, play dough, dolls, puzzles, coloring books crafts, legos, blocks, non-electronic toys) 
• Candles 
• Bath and body products 
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste 
• Dish towels or bath towels 
• Flashlights 
• Tools 
• School supplies 
• Picture frames 
• Kitchen storage containers 
• Laundry baskets 
• Parenting magazines (gently used acceptable) 

Donations may be dropped off at the Focus office, 1220 Mound Ave., Suite 307. For more information call Lori or Kim at (262) 632-6200.

Racine/Kenosha Community Action Agency Head Start

The Racine-Kenosha Community Action Agency’s Head Start program has the following items on its wish list: 

• Computers/Laptops
• Wireless Internet
• Toothpaste 
• Girls underwear (sizes 4-6 — new only, please)
• Boys underwear (sizes 4-6 — new only, please)
• Pull-ups  (sizes 3-5)
• Baby wipes
• Girls pants (sizes 4-5,6,8)
• Boys pants (sizes 4-5,6,8)
• Girls tops  (sizes 4-5,6,8)
• Boys shirts (sizes 4-5,6,8)
• Socks (boys and girls)
• Hats and gloves
• Snowpants
• Dolls
• Children’s chairs
• Housekeeping furniture (small tables and chairs, stoves, refrigerators, plastic dishes and plastic food)
• Big throw pillows
• Puzzles
• Children’s reading books
• Table toys (any toy children can play with at the table)
• Art supplies (fingerpaint, wiggly eyes, feathers, large buttons, cotton balls, coffee filters, etc.)
• Beads and string
• Glue sticks
• Construction paper (all colors)
• Gym equipment (balls, small basket ball hoops, etc.)
• Paintbrushes (chubby size)
• Sand (for sand tables)
• Sidewalk chalk
• Glitter
• Crayons
• Markers
• Paint smocks (children’s size)
• Trash bags
• Toilet paper
• Kleenex
• Plastic forks
• Plastic spoons
• Paper plates
• Plastic cups
• Napkins
• Cleaning supplies (floor, kitchen, table cleaner, etc.)
• Band-Aids
• Latex gloves
• Cold packs
• Hand sanitizer
• CD players
• Borders for bulletin boards
• Ziploc bags (gallon size)
• Shed (to store outside equipment)
• Copy paper
• Post-it notes
• Volunteers to assist in classrooms and screenings

For more information, or to schedule a pickup of your donation, contact Margaret Marquez, education program aide at R/K CAA Head Start Program, 1032 Grand Ave., Racine; (262) 633-0082, ext. 208; margaret_marquez2003@yahoo.com

Salvation Army

Items for distribution through the Social Service Program:

• Regular baby formula (not soy)
• Disposable diapers (all sizes)
• Baby wipes
• Personal hygiene items
• Toothpaste
• Tampons
• Pads
• Deodorant
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Toilet paper

These items can be brought to the Salvation Army office, 1901 Washington Ave., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Human Capital Development Corp.

Human Capital Development Corp. Inc.’s mission is to provide individuals the opportunity to achieve personal goals of employment and independence at a family-sustaining wage in the building and construction skilled trades. 

We are in need of:

• Heavy-duty shredder

To make a donation, contact Human Capital Development Corp. Inc./First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship Training, at (262) 633-3285 or drop off donations at the Training Center, 1437 Marquette St., Racine, from 1-3 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays). If you have any questions regarding items and/or programs available, call the above number.

Health Care Network

• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Listerine
• Over-the-counter antibiotics or fungal creams
• Dental hygienists to volunteer

To make a donation or become a volunteer, contact Barb Tylenda at (262) 632-2400 or drop off donations to the Health Care Network office at 904 State St., Racine.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

ReStore takes donations of the items listed below from contractors, lumber yards and individuals and sells those items to the general public, with proceeds going directly to the local Habitat for Humanity housing fund.

Donations wanted:

• Working major appliances 
• Cabinets and vanities 
• Good condition furniture 
• Tools 
• Solid doors 
• Framed thermo windows 
• Lighting 
• Most home-building materials

For donation information, please call or visit Habitat ReStore at 2302 DeKoven Ave., Racine, during store hours, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (262) 898-2929 for more information.

Racine Zoo

• Gift cards to Hobby Lobby
• Gift cards to JoAnn Fabrics
• Gift cards to Michaels
• Metal cart with wheels
• Laminating machine
• Laminating sheets
• Fireproof file cabinet
• Dry erase board
• Dry erase markers
• Cork board
• Office chairs
• Scissors
• Staplers
• Long, durable raincoats
• Full-length lockers
• Stainless steel, industrial wire shelving with or without casters
• Barn and house box fans
• Large and small portable animal scales
• Multi-tools (Leathermen, etc.)
• Paper shredder
• Small humidifiers
• Step stools
• Industrial power washer
• Medium and large heavy-duty garbage cans with lids
• Hudson hand-held sprayers and hose sprayers
• Office garbage cans
• Fork attachment for Uni-loader
• John Deere Gator with automatic bed, tilt bed or similar cart with cab top
• Street sweeper brushes
• Farm and ranch hoses
• Heavy-duty contractor hoses without lead
• Fire hose nozzle to fit contract hoses
• Fire hose nozzle to fit ¾-inch hose
• Push brooms
• Security camera
• Freezer
• Vacuum cleaner

Items may be dropped off the Zoo office, 200 Goold St. Call (262) 636-9189 for more information.

Transitional Living Center

The mission of the Transitional Living Center is to provide temporary and timely assistance to those people in need of shelter and living essentials who are willing to accept personal responsibility and the empowerment that goes along with it.

TLC "helps the homeless help themselves". TLC can always use:

• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• New or gently used bath towels, washcloths, and sheets
• Laundry detergent, fabric softener sheets
• New pillows
• Gas cards
• Toothbrushes, soap, toothpaste
• Hair brushes
• Slippers all sizes adults and children
• Diapers and wipes
• Layette items
• Monetary donations
• $125 will provide housing for 15-20 persons per night
• Volunteers to drive guests to appointments etc.
• Computer paper
• High-quality paper for resumes and letters.

Donations may be dropped off at or sent to Transitional Living Center, 482 S. Pine St., Burlington, WI 53105. For more information, email tlcburlington@sbcglobal.net or call (262) 767-1478.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Racine & Kenosha Counties

Needed: Volunteers high school age and older, men and women to mentor boys and girls who would benefit from one-to-one mentoring provided by a caring and responsible adult.

Those interested in volunteering may contact the Big Brothers Big Sisters office at 2302 DeKoven Ave., Racine, WI 53403, by phone (262) 637-7625, or online www.beabignow.org.

Royal Family Kids’ Camps

Royal Family Kids’ Camps in Racine is one of an international network of camps, Royal Family Kids’ Camps Inc. (RFKC). In cooperation with Racine County Human Service Foster Care Program, we take children from ages 7 to 11 who have been abused, neglected and/or abandoned to a residential camp for five days each summer. Our goal is to provide positive memories for these children in a safe, fun, secure environment. We are an all volunteer nonprofit organization that funds the camp through money we raise. 

Royal Family Kids’ Camps-Racine is in need of the following for the 2012 camp:

• 12-inch-long baby dolls that will fit the cradles the kids make
• No. 2 pine wood for woodworking projects
• Children’s clothing sizes 6 to 16
• Modest children’s swimming suits
• Olympic-themed things, sports equipment 
• Flags from different countries
• Large squeeze bottle of Tempera paints
• Water bottles for staff
• Water balloons
• Costumes children and adult sizes for dress up center – spider man, princess, and cowboy for example.
• Office supplies, paper, stamps, envelopes

Contact Fred and Chris Oertel at (262) 639-0480; (262) 930-3416; 262-930-3418 or email croertel@wi.rr.com

Becker Shoop Center

The Becker Shoop Center, a Lincoln Lutheran of Racine skilled nursing center, is in need of the following items:

• Large-print reading material
• Books on tape 
• Glade Plug-ins scented oil warmers
• Glade Plug-in oil refills
• Hand lotions (scented or unscented)
• Jigsaw puzzles (25-300 pieces)
• Rosary on tape/CD
• Rosary beads
• Wild bird seed
• Parakeet seed
• Wind socks
• Wind chimes 
• Stuffed animals (for bingo prizes)
• Costume jewelry (for bingo prizes)
• Radio/CD players (for residents’ room)
• Magazines (old or new) 
• Baby dolls
• Baby clothes
• Washcloths/towels 
• Colored pencils
• Nail polish
• Grills (2) Weber/kettle type
• Pop-up canopy (10-by-10)
• Library cart 
• Grill utensils (tongs, spatula, brush, etc.)
• Any seasonal/holiday decorations
• Subscription to The Journal Times  
• Musically talented/gifted volunteers 

Items may be dropped off at: Becker Shoop Center, 6101 16th St., Racine or contact Marcie Molbeck at (262) 898-2772 or mmolbeck@llor.org to make arrangements for pickup or to find out more about volunteering.

Tex Reynolds' Toys for Tots

• Repairable toys for children 12 and younger (these are much-needed)
• Games, power cords, adaptors for new and old games systems such as Xbox, Sega, Playstation, Nintendo and Game Boy
• Bikes up to 26 inches
• Cars and trucks for boys ages 2-10
• Games for children up to age 12
• Hats, mittens and scarves (handmade or store-bought)
• Two or three VHS tape rewinding machines
• Batteries (AA and 9-volt)
• Yarn (four-ply)
• Cleaning supplies
• Books for children 12 and younger
• Dolls, any size and Barbies; clothes and accessories for both
• Lace trim for doll clothes
• Puzzles (up to 500 pieces)
• Ribbon (small-size widths)
• Elastic (narrow widths)
• Velcro (narrow widths)
• Hair items for girls younger than 12
• Costume jewelry
• Old purses (small and medium sizes)
• Vanity items (travel size)

Contact Toys for Tots (262) 633-1379 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 8 to 11:30 a.m. for more information. Toys for Tots is located at 800 Center St., the same hours. Toys and supplies also can be dropped off at any fire station east of the interstate, Kortendick's Hardware and Wells Fargo Bank on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

River Bend Nature Center

• Pitchers
• Skillets
• Storage totes (medium and large)
• Sidewalk chalk
• Colored and white printer paper
• Colored cardstock
• Dish soap
• Shelving unit
• Batteries (AA and D)

Donations may be dropped off at the YWCA River Bend Nature Center located at 3600 N. Green Bay Road, Caledonia, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you have any questions regarding items, programs or volunteer opportunities please feel free to call us at (262) 639-0930 or email Crystal Kristiansen at ckristiansen@ywcaofracine.org

Racine Theatre Guild

• Gift cards in any amounts to: Best Buy, grocery stores, Home Depot, Office Depot or OfficeMax, Menards, Sam's Club
• Volunteers are always needed and welcomed. 

Call Beth or Doug at (262) 633-1250 or stop by 2519 Northwestern Ave. from noon to 6 p.m. weekdays. For further information on RTG, visit www.racinetheatre.org.

Racine Friendship Clubhouse

We are a non-profit organization that integrates adults with mental illness into the economic and social community. A Clubhouse is a community intentionally organized to support individuals living with the effects of mental illness. Through participation in a Clubhouse, people are given the opportunities to rejoin the worlds of friendships, family, important work, employment, education and to access the services and supports they may individually need.

• Volunteers: We would welcome volunteers to work with members sharing skills such as cooking and baking, do light handyman repairs, paint walls, teach computer skills, play Wii games with our members, play piano.
• Items we could use: small cash register, small drums or rhythm instruments, heavy duty lawn/patio furniture, liquid hand soap, coffee, paper cups and paper plates.

We are located at 2000 17th St. in Racine. For more information, call (262) 636-9393 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and ask for Jo Ann Rodriguez.

Careers Industries

• Radio with a CD player
• Educational computer games
• Indoor floor games such as golf or shuffle board
• TV/DVD to use with Wii system used by Racine Integrated Day Services participants.
• Large-size men's and women's underwear (ongoing need)
• Large-size sweat pants (ongoing need)
• Three manual wheelchairs
• Gift certificates to Michaels and Hobby Lobby
• Adaptive bowling balls with specially drilled holes

Items can be delivered to Careers Industries, 4811 Washington Ave., Racine, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Call (262) 752-4100 for more information.

Children's Service Society of Wisconsin

• Cell phones and laptop computers for Intensive In-home team (3). The in-home therapy team is out in the community all day, every day. Therefore, if each staff had a company cell phone, it would enable families to reach them quickly in emergency situations. It would also help to ensure the safety of the therapy team. Laptop computers would be very helpful for the in-home staff could complete paper work in the field when they have breaks in between appointments.
• Books and coloring books to help children talk about their experiences of abuse or domestic violence: "Something Happened and I'm Scared to Tell," "It's MY Body," "Something is Wrong at My House," "The Trouble with Secrets," the "Let's Talk" coloring book set. These books normalize children's experiences about abuse and domestic violence, and help children open up and share what happened to them. They are available in English and Spanish versions. We would prefer to have two sets for our Racine and Burlington office locations.
• Jewelry kits for children seen at the Child Advocacy Center. Older children at the Racine County Child Advocacy Center would benefit from a healthy age-appropriate activity to do when they have to wait during different parts of the evaluation. We are requesting a number of small individualized kits for kids and teens to make bracelets and necklaces.
• Distraction tools for children's medical exams at the Racine County Child Advocacy Center. A medical exam is a necessary piece of a comprehensive evaluation for abuse and neglect. When conducting a medical exam it's great for kids to have something to distract them. "I Spy" books and viewfinders are easy ways to help kids relax.
• Supplies for creating behavioral charts with families. The new Community Response Program will be doing a lot of work with parents to develop positive parenting skills to prevent future child abuse. One commonly used tool is to work with parents on developing behavioral charts so they can better manage their children's behaviors. CSSW could use a large supply of poster board, markers and stickers so the worker can create these charts right on the spot when he or she meets with the family.

For more information about how to make a donation to CSSW, contact: Ann Rolling at (262) 633-3591, 2405 Northwestern Ave. Suite 205 Racine WI 53404, ann.rolling@cssw.org

Family Service of Racine

Family Service of Racine is a nonprofit agency that provides counseling and mental wellness services to the Racine community. FSR will celebrate 100 years of service to Racine in 2010.

For more information about our services and to find out how you can help, please visit our Website at www.fsracine.org or call us at (262) 634-2391. We are located at 420 Seventh St., Downtown Racine and love visitors!

• Laptop computers (2008 or newer)
• Flat-screen monitors
• Microsoft Office suite 2007 
• Shop vac
• American flag assembly for outside
• Blinds for business front windows
• Coffeemaker with auto shut-off
• Help with snow removal
• Newspaper subscription
• Table and chairs for breakroom
• Refrigerator
• Treadmill
• End tables
• Office furniture
• Couch and love seat
• Flip charts/flip chart stand
• Donation of bi-annual heating/cooling systems check
• Pickup of old monitors and computers for disposal

Harmony Club

A program of Lincoln Lutheran, Harmony Club is a unique social program that offers caregivers up to six hours of free time.

Volunteers are the heart of this program. If interested in volunteering, call (262) 898-2742.

Items may be dropped off at Lincoln Lutheran of Racine, 2000 Dominic Drive, second floor.

Items we could use:

• Craft supplies
• 63- to 500-piece puzzles
• Easy-to-store bingo prizes
• Planting supplies
• Paper products 
• Plates, cups, bowls, napkins, plastic forks, spoons, knives, moist wipes and hot plates