Thanksgiving’s a great gateway to a broader holiday season, starting off with a chance to remember what makes one feel grateful. But it’s also an opportunity to think about ways to be the actual gift as the holiday season unfolds. And to admire those who have already done some pretty great things to benefit others.
Think Angel Trees, Sub for Santa programs, food distributions and even giving blood. Those needs are all in the forefront heading into the end of the year.
This list is far from comprehensive. But it highlights some of the needs — and groups working to meet others — in the Beehive State. Which is, by the way, often heralded as the most giving state in the nation in terms of volunteer activity.
We have some examples of needs, but there are so many more. It’s not hard to find people and groups that need help and might be overlooked. You can check with local churches and organizations, long-term care facilities and even schools.
Gifts of time and money will always find someone who needs them.
The Red Cross of Utah blood donation centers will be open Thanksgiving morning, focusing on a critical need for platelets. Platelets help blood clot and are needed to treat cancer, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries, but can only be kept for five to seven days, so the need is always great. Visit redcross.org/GiveBlood or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
These donation centers are open for Thanksgiving:
Salt Lake Donation Center, 6616 S. 900 East, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Lehi Donation Center, 310 N. 850 East, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Layton Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Rd, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Utah County United Way’s Sub for Santa program saw greater need than ever before last year. And Bill Hulterstrom, the head of United Way there, told Deseret News that this year’s numbers are tracking similarly."
While it’s too early for an actual count, he predicts they’ll need help for more than a thousand families. You can sign up online at SubforSanta.org or by calling 801-356-6300.
Salt Lake County is looking for donors to “light up the holidays for seniors” through its Giving Tree program. Salt Lake Aging and Adult Services partners with community members to provide holiday gifts for homebound older adults. The tree itself is in the South Building Atrium of the Salt Lake County Government Center, 2001 S. State Street. People are invited to choose a name from the tree, fill the gift request and return the items to the program by Monday, Dec. 1, so they can be delivered to the older adults, many of whom would not otherwise have a gift.
On the giving side, AARP Utah has made a generous donation of basic-needs items to supplement the gifts donated by way of the tree.
Learn more at: https://slco.to/aging-giving-tree
Visit https://states.aarp.org/utah/ to learn more about AARP Utah and ways to boost their efforts.
There are other Angel Trees, including at local Walmarts in cooperation with the Salvation Army. Those are set up so you can shop in person or online, pick someone to buy presents for and spread some cheer.
The Other Side Academy also has an Angel Tree Christmas Fundraiser to benefit the program, which serves more than 140 students at a time who are trying to rebuild their lives. As its webpage said, “For many, this will be the first Christmas they spend sober, safe and surrounded by a community that feels like family.” Money donated provides each student with three new outfits: dressy for interviews, business casual for professional settings and an everday outfit with coat, shoes and personal care items.
Salt Lake County Youth Services has its own version in partnership with ShelterKids, and you can visit any Salt Lake County library before Dec. 20 or go online to ShelterKids to help meet needs. If you want to shop online, there’s an Amazon Wishlist.
Youth Services also has a Milestone Transitional Living Program that always has need for donations of supplies and financial support. The program serves young adults 18 to 21 facing homelessness in Salt Lake County. Donations can be made at Christmas Box International, 3660 S. West Temple in Salt Lake. You can also call 385-468-4541 to learn more about needs.
ChamberWest is holding its first pickleball fundraiser at Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For the $35 registration fee, you get lunch, music laughter and playing time, with $10 of the fee going to Kearns middle and high schools to provide sweatshirts, sweatpants and toiletry items to meet student needs. More information is available at chamberwest.com.
ChamberWest’s Women in Business group is holding a holiday lunch to raise money for EyeCare4Kids, which provides free eye exams and glasses to children in need.
The SLC Light the World Giving Machines are now open through Jan. 1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covers operational expenses including credit card fees so that 100% of donations are directed to the giver’s chosen charity and purpose. The Giving Machine in downtown Salt Lake at City Creek Mall is one of 126 in different cities in 21 countries and six continents. It’s a vending machine that lets a giver pay for items and aid to meet needs around the world.
Among the local beneficiaries are Columbus Adult Education Center, Friends of the Children, Murray Education Foundation, Stella Oaks Foundation, Show Up Utah and The Other Side Village.
KSL is holding its annual Quarters for Christmas campaign to provide Utah children with shoes, socks and clothing to keep warm during winter. Every penny donated goes to ensure Utah kids stay warm.
KUTV is hosting a Holiday Pops Concert to benefit the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, featuring Peter Breinholt Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. at Cottonwood High School, 5715 S. 1300 East in Murray.
Canyon View Credit Union has teamed up with Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club, Boys & Girls Club of Utah County and Boys & Girls Club of Washington County to provide gifts and support for children in need, as well. you can donate at local branches or online.
Central Utah 911 in Utah County is organizing a toy drive teaming up with Tabitha’s Way and the county’s first responders. Donations to the drive-through collection site can be made at the Utah Valley University parking lot 9, 800 S. Wolverine Way in Orem on Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They ask for new unopened toys and money.
Giving has already begun
Lots of individuals and organizations have already stepped up. Last week, Neighborhood House continued a 70-year tradition by hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for clients and their extended families. The staff and volunteers spend weeks preparing, because in addition to the food, the provided games and activities for the kids. Food was supplied by Sysco and Nicholas & Company, and local businesses, foundations and individuals helped out.
Central City Recreation, 615 E. 300 South in Salt Lake, is teaming up with Utah Valley University Culinary Arts Institute to cook 150 pounds of turkey for its annual Thanksgiving dinner for the public Tuesday and students, faculty and staff are all pitching in. Last year they served 300 people and the annual event is now 30 years old.
One of the season’s most notable donations is a quarter-million-dollar gift to the Utah Food Bank from American First Credit Union. The donation is in response to post-shutdown needs, and the food bank staff said much of the gift will go to immediate restocking needs and to support food needs through the holidays. It’s a bigger-than-usual donation from the credit union, which notes greater-than-usual needs.
The Northern Wasatch Association of Realtors presented a check for $3,000 and 100 turkeys to the Lantern House Homeless Shelter in Ogden Monday. The Lantern House serves 12,000 meals a month, shelters more than 300 people a night and has seen a large increase in the population it serves, particularly among those 65 and older.
A number of organizations and individuals have been putting together food drives for different organizations, such as a just-completed one by ChamberWest to benefit Neighborhood House. That food need isn’t going away and there are some food insecure people nearby, wherever you live.