Help a Hathaway-Sycamores child over the holidays

Holiday joy is most often associated with children, but for many other youngsters— particularly those who are in foster care, as well as those who are struggling with mental-health issues or whose families are financially fragile—the holidays can be a particularly challenging time of year. Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services—the largest private provider of children's mental-health services in Los Angeles County—serves more than 9,000 such youngsters and families annually, and it is on their behalf that the nonprofit agency is reaching out and asking caring members of the community to help bring holiday happiness to those in need. There are several ways that members of the community can support Hathaway-Sycamores' efforts,including:

Buy a gift for a child—Gifts are needed for all age groups, from infants to age 18, as well as for those with special needs ages 19 through 25. Gifts should be unwrapped and nonviolent in nature.  Often requested items include: sports equipment; electronic and board games; art supplies; DVDs (PG or PG-13); CD walkman; boom box/alarm clock; beauty products; video games (G rated); stuffed animals; clothing; backpacks; hair accessories; and watches. Many of those in Hathaway-Sycamores' care are teenagers, so gift cards (such as Bath and Body Works, Best Buy, GameStop, Footlocker, Target, Walmart) are always a good choice, as are movie passes.  Cash donations are especially valued for helping Hathaway-Sycamores to fulfill children’s special wishes. Donated items can be mailed or brought—by Dec. 17— to Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services Development Department, 210 S. DeLacey Ave., Ste.110, Pasadena, CA, 91105.

Order a 2013 Children's Calendar—Iconic local landmarks are interpreted anew through the eyes of aspiring young artists on the colorful, enchanting pages of the 2013 Hathaway-Sycamores Children's Art Calendar. Created through the “I Love LA” art project by students who receive academic enrichment and other support services from the Hathaway-Sycamores Highland Park Family Resource Center, this one-of-a-kind calendar is an ideal holiday gift. Not only is the calendar both beautiful and affordable ($10, plus $5 shipping and handling), but proceeds will help fund life-changing services for the thousands of youngsters and families served annually by Hathaway-Sycamores.  The calendar can be ordered at http://www.hathaway-sycamores.org or by calling (626) 395-7100 ext. 2516.

Adopt-a-Family—Gifts, household items, food, and grocery-store gift certificates are among the items needed by local families who might otherwise go without. Donated items can be mailed or brought—by Dec. 17— to Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services Development Department, 210 S. DeLacey Ave., Ste. 110, Pasadena, CA, 91105.

Donate to Food Pantry—Hathaway-Sycamores Highland Park Family Resource Center operates a year-round food pantry for families in Northeast Los Angeles who are receiving mental-health services from the Center and who are living below the poverty line. This need escalates during the holiday season and the Family Resource Center is especially in need of : rice, beans, spaghetti, granola bars, juice boxes, bottled water, breakfast cereal, lunch meats, instant noodles, canned soup, bread. Items can be dropped off at the Family Resource Center—weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.—located at 840 N. Avenue 66 in Highland Park.    

For additional information about these opportunities to support Hathaway-Sycamores, contact Andi Sica at (626) 395-7100 ext. 2516 or e-mail AndreaSica@hathaway-sycamores.org.