The Central Coast Rescue Mission in Santa Maria will be hosting its holiday dinner and giving away toys for children in need as part of the Tubs of Love drive on Dec. 18. The dinner and toy giveaway will take place at the Veterans Memorial building at 313 W. Tunnel.
Joyce Nix, who’s been with the Rescue Mission since its inception in 1999, said they’re expecting 1,500 people for the dinner this year—down from 2,000 last year.
“We normally have it on a Saturday,” she explained, “but this year it was either Thursday or nothing.”
Nix asked that donated items be new and unwrapped. They are looking for toys, school supplies, and clothes for younger children.
“We get a lot of used toys normally, but at Christmastime we want to give new toys as gifts,” she said.
Normally, the Tubs of Love drive would have placed bins at local churches so people could make donations, but this year, due to volunteer shortages, the group is only accepting donations at its offices.
The Rescue Mission also operates a transitional house for men recovering from alcohol or drug addiction, and recently opened a thrift store at 306 North Broadway in Santa Maria.
For more information about donating or volunteering at the Rescue Mission, call 614-0220.
Intern Nicholas Walter compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send items for consideration to mail@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 18-25, 2008.