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What can you do: Hard Times in Collin County

By Angie Stephens

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Apex, REALTORS®

December 20, 2009 08:05 AM

Charitable Drives for the Holiday Season

Collin County Charities for the Holidays

Economic hard times this year have hit Collin County families a little harder than in the past, and many county offices are sponsoring food or toy drives to help re-stock food pantry shelves, provide food baskets in which to make holiday meals, ship "Care" packages to our men and women serving in the Armed Forces overseas, or provide toys for some very special local kids.

If you're interested in pitching in to these efforts over the coming weeks, we've posted the following information to help make the holidays - here and abroad - happier ones.

Donations for Troops

Here's a listing of suggested items that the County Clerk's office planes to donate to the men and women serving overseas in the military. Please look for donation boxes in County Clerks' offices.

Deodorant	Playing Cards, Dice, Poker Game
Body Powder	Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
Jelly Beans	Inflatable Pillows
Beef Jerky, Tuna in Pouches	Socks, T-Shirts, Shoelaces, Underwear
Mints, Gum	Cookies & Snacks in Individual Packages
Snack bars	Canned potato chips
Snack Mixes, Trail Mix, Sunflower Seeds, Nuts	Razors, Shaving Cream
AA and D-size batteries	Music CD's, DVD Movies
Cereal/Granola Bars	Foot Powder
Air Fresheners	Sunscreen
Pens, Pencils, Notepads	Plastic storage bags
Puzzle Books, Magazines, Paperbacks, Bibles, Newspapers	Coffee, Drink Packet Singles
Icy/Hot Patches	Baby Wipes
Vitamins

Food Baskets for Plano

Justice of the Peace John Payton (Pct. 3-2) and the County Clerk's office are also joining forces to make holiday meal food baskets for indigent families in the Plano-Allen-Frisco area. The office will put together holiday meal packages, including certificates for ham, turkey or other main entrees, plus all the fixings for needy families who have been identified in his court system in the last year. Here's a list of what's needed in each basket:

Gift certificates turkey, hams, main courses
Stuffing mix
Canned Vegetables (green beans, corn, yams)
Instant mashed potatoes, rice, dry beans
Canned fruit
Canned gravy, broth, condensed milk, salt, pepper
Gelatin & pudding mixes
Canned pie filling, pie crust mix,
Foil pans, pie pans.

Donations need to be brought to Judge Payton's office at 920 E. Park Blvd., Suite 120 in Plano. Contact Pat Wilson at 972-548-3081 if you need more information.

District Clerk's Christmas Toy Drive

Now through Dec. 15, the District Clerk's Office will be collecting toys for the benefit of Hope's Door, a non-profit shelter and counseling center for domestic abuse victims. Drop boxes for this effort are located in the District Clerk's Office in McKinney, 2100 Bloomdale Rd., in McKinney, and the Plano Passport Office, 920 E. Park Blvd, Plano.

Animal Shelter/SPCA Supply Drive

Last but certainly not least, some good-hearted souls are putting on the 2nd annual Animal Shelter/SPCA supply drive to help feed and care for lost and abandoned animals. Volunteers are collecting new dog and cat toys, chew bones, treats, dog and cat food, kitty litter, and beds or blankets. Collection boxes will be located at the following county buildings through Dec. 18: Healthcare Services, Sheriff's Office, Community Supervision & Corrections, County Auditor, Juvenile Probation, the District Clerk's Office and the Substance Abuse Offices.