Interested in donating to a collection drive or giving back this holiday season? Consider checking out these local groups that are working to make a positive impact in the lives of others:
St. Margaret’s Center
Just a stone’s throw away from Westchester, St. Margaret’s Center is collecting toys for its annual Christmas program. Every year, the center distributes thousands of toys to children in need. Locally, there are two drop-off locations. Head to Toe Salon, located at 6310 W. 89th St. in Westchester, is collecting toys through December 10 during regular business hours. Miss Haircut Salon, located at 8733 La Tijera Blvd. in Westchester, is collecting toys through noon on Friday, December 14. Toys can be dropped off Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Interested in donating online? Visit amazon.com, choose “Find a List or Registry,” type in St. Margaret’s Center and browse their wish list. Purchased items will be sent directly to the center. St. Margaret’s Christmas Program will take place on Saturday, December 15 at Lennox Middle School.
For more questions or to arrange a pick-up, please call Terry O’Connor at (310) 994-9904.
Rachel Sunday is the founder of a Power of A Shower.
The Power of A Shower
Feeling inspired to do good in the world, but unsure where to start, Westchester’s Rachel Sunday, took a shower to wash away the day’s stresses and had an epiphany. The simple act of taking a shower had the power to help her feel renewed, but is something that thousands of homeless people across L.A. don’t have access to. Using the nonprofit Lava Mae as a model, Sunday is hard at work to launch a new charity, The Power of a Shower, which will build mobile trailers that will provide clean, safe places for people to bathe, get haircuts and put on clean clothes. The group is currently fundraising to help reach their goal of $200,000 to purchase and build their first mobile showering unit.
For more information, please visit powerofashower.org.
NCWP President, Cyndi Hench (right), and other volunteers help assemble kits to distribute to the homeless in the area.
The People Project
The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa’s Homeless Committee has recently launched The People Project to help assist homeless families and people in the community.
Earlier this month, the group assembled more than 250 care packages with personal care items, food, warm garments and more, all donated from the community, to distribute during the holiday season.
As this is an ongoing project, the group will continue to collect items like soap, toothpaste, wet wipes and socks throughout the year. For more info on getting involved, please email info@ncwpdr.org.