“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
Maya Angelou
This holiday season, may we all take time to remember those among us seeking help, understanding, and compassion in their time of need. Whether you need help, or you want to volunteer to help others, opportunities are plentiful in our community.
Thanksgiving for Paso Robles
The 34th annual Thanksgiving for Paso Robles brings the community together as a family to enjoy a traditional meal on Thanksgiving Day, November 22. The free feast, prepared by volunteers and made possible by donations, will be served from noon to 2 p.m. at the Centennial Park Activity Center, located at 600 Nickerson Drive.
Savor all of the traditional fixings — oven-roasted turkey, country ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, green beans,
cranberry sauce, pies and more. Meals will be plated up and served to guests seated at decorated tables.
Free transportation to the event or delivery of meals is available. Call David Kudija 805-239-4137 and leave a clear message including phone number, or send an e-mail to Tg4Paso@gmail.com no later than November 15 to make arrangements.
WANT TO HELP?
• Send tax-deductible monetary donations to: Thanksgiving for Paso Robles, P.O. Box 662, Paso Robles, CA 93447. This event thrives year after year thanks to the generous donations of community members!
• Volunteer! Volunteers are needed two days prior to and the day of the event — volunteers MUST pre-register; no walk-in volunteers please and ages 13 years or older only; must be 16 years or older to work in the kitchen. Click the “volunteer” button at thanksgivingforpasorobles.com for a list of opportunities; email tg4paso@gmail, or call 805-239-4137 before November 9.
Day of Giving
The 24th annual Day of Giving happens at the Paso Robles Event Center on Saturday, December 15. This event provides toys, coats, and a holiday meal to 500-600 local families with approximately 1,500 children from Paso Robles, San Miguel, Bradley, Shandon, and Heritage Ranch.
Donations of nearly $50,000 in cash, toys, and food, along with nearly 10,000 volunteer hours, make this possible. Partnering together, the Toy Bank of Greater Paso Robles, Coats for Kids, Salvation Army, and the community at large ensure a happy holiday season for local families.
All families MUST pre-register! Bring identification, proof of income and residence, and birth certificate for each child up to age 16. Register at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1301 Oak St. in Paso Robles: 3-7 p.m. on Nov. 14, 15, 16, 29, 30 or from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 17. Additional registration opportunities: Lillian Larson School in San Miguel, 3-7 p.m. on Nov. 13. Shandon Middle School on Nov. 20 from 3-7 p.m.
WANT TO HELP?
• Click on the “donations” link at prtoybank.com for a list of Toy Bank donation box locations. Place new, unwrapped toys and art supplies for infants and children through age 12 in the boxes. Send tax-deductible monetary donations to: Toy Bank of Greater Paso Robles, P.O. Box 2801, Paso Robles, CA 93447; include memo “Day of Giving.”
• Coats, jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts are collected to distribute on the Day of Giving. Take gently-used coats to Plaza Cleaners in the Albertson’s Shopping Center or Paso Robles Cleaners on 13th Street. Take new and clean coats to KPRL, Idler’s, Farm Supply, Strawberry Blonde Salon, El Paso Self Storage, The Blenders, and North County Copy & Parcel. Or send a check payable to the Toy Bank, memo “Coats for Kids”, to the Toy Bank address above. For info, call Barbie Butz at 805-461-1234.
• Click on the “volunteer” button at prtoybank.com to help register recipient families or assist with the preparation of rooms for Day of Giving.
• Help purchase gift cards for teens (ages 13-16) by sending monetary donations to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 2654, Paso Robles, CA 93447; include memo “Day of Giving.” Extra funds allow for the purchase of food gift cards that allow families to enjoy a holiday meal.
Ring Those Bells
The Salvation Army’s holiday kettle campaign generates funds to carry the organization through the entire fiscal year. With additional costs for the Day of Giving, and continued assistance with utility bills, food distribution, and other services to local families, there is a dire need for donations.
The Salvation Army also creates toy-giving opportunities for families NOT participating in the Day of Giving with its Angel Tree, Toy Shop, and Emergency Toy Giveaway. Want to help with donations of toys, become an “angel,” or need assistance? Call 805-238-9591 or stop by the Salvation Army Center at 711 Paso Robles St. Tuesday or Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WANT TO HELP?
• Be a Bell Ringer! Individuals, families, and groups are needed to help ring bells and collect funds at kettles in four separate Paso Robles locations Nov. 19 to Dec. 23. Volunteer for two-hour shifts; call 805-975-5632 to schedule a time slot.
• Place donations in the paper kettles at check-out lines in Food-4-Less or send a monetary donation to P.O. Box 2654, Paso Robles, CA 93447.
Music for the Soul
The 9th annual Music for the Soul fundraiser brings classical pianist Corey Jordan to Studios on the Park, 1130 Pine St., on Sunday, Nov. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit ECHO Shelter and St. James Episcopal Church Outreach. A wine and hors d’oeuvres hour kicks off the evening and, following the concert, optional multi-course dinners at Il Cortile, Catch Seafood Bar & Grill or Paso Terra are available. The $125 all-inclusive ticket includes concert, meal, and wine pairings; tax and gratuity not included. Tickets are $50 for the concert only. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact St. James Church at 805-238-0819 or Pacifica Realty at 805-237-4040.
Donate to Loaves and Fishes
Help feed those in need locally by sending monetary donations to Loaves and Fishes, P.O. Box 1720, Paso Robles CA 93447 or via the PayPal link at loavesandfishespaso.org. Bring commercially produced and sealed food donations or fresh produce from your garden to the back-alley entrance of 2650 Spring St. (entrance through 26th Street) from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday only; phone 805-238-4742.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” ~ Dr. Seuss
From all of us at PASO Magazine, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
