NEWMAN – The coming holiday season will be financially challenging for many West Side individuals and families, whose struggle for economic survival doesn’t always allow for the holiday extras - let alone the basics such as food on the table and warm coats for their children.

In an area feeling the impact of the economic downturn and at the epicenter of the foreclosure crisis, the number of local families in need is on the rise - but in the spirit of the season the communities of Newman and Crows Landing will step forward to lend a helping hand.

Numerous clubs and organizations are sponsoring food, coat, toy and book drives to help brighten the holidays for those less fortunate - continuing a long tradition of community generosity which warms the holiday season and helps provide support during the year which follows.

Countless volunteers give of their time to conduct the various drives, but the success of those programs relies on the generosity of the community as a whole. Hundreds of people generously donate items so every child can have at least one present to open on Christmas, so parents can open their cupboards and know there is food to feed their family a few more days, and so children will have a warm coat to wear this winter.

Those who help provide assistance to those in need throughout the year have seen the impact of a changing economy. “Unfortunately many people lost their homes this year so there is an even greater demand for assistance,” informed Joe Evans. He and his wife Kathy work with the Salvation Army ,which assists people throughout the year. It’s not just at the holidays but every day that people are struggling between paying for this or paying for that, he stated. “There are so many people who need help,” he said, “any donations will help relieve the burdens they face.”

Volunteers will be ringing bells at the familiar red Salvation Army kettles in Newman this holiday season. The money collected is used to fund the local program for the coming year. Ninety percent of the donations stay in the Newman/Crows Landing community providing funds for food vouchers, travel assistance, gas vouchers, monthly Agape Pantry supplements, staples for the holiday food program and sponsorships for youth at the summer camp program. The remaining 10 percent is sent to Salvation Army headquarters but is returned to the local community several times over, according to Kathy Evans. “Over the past 12 months, for example, $10,667 was given by headquarters to supplement the REACH program (PG&E assistance) in Newman,” she cited. They also sponsored additional youth who attended camp.

The community is always overly generous, the Evans’ pointed out, and they are confident this year will be no different.  “We don’t set a goal for the collection but rather believe in whatever the Good Lord provides and we make that work,” they said. “If you have been blessed, it’s always great to give back to your community,” they invited. “It’s a great feeling to give to others.”

The Newman kettle campaign begins Nov. 29 and will continue through Dec. 7. Bell ringers will be located at Bank of the West, Rite-Aid, Nob Hill Foods and the Shell gas station.

Toys for Tots

Everybody looks forward to finding a gift with their name on it at Christmas time - a dream which the Newman Women’s League helps make a reality through its Toys for Tots program.

It all stems from a Christmas tree filled with tags - each one representing a child and containing information on the gender, age and any special needs that have been requested; each tag waiting to be chosen by someone who wants to help someone else enjoy a holiday filled with the love and compassion of a caring community.

“Some tags will have clothes sizes on them which means the parents have requested clothes for their child,” explained project chairwoman Patty Novoa. “People like to buy toys, especially for the younger kids but many have a great need for the clothes, too.”

The ages range from infant through high school and organizers expect there to be more than 250 tags on the Toys for Tots trees this year.

The tags are available on the trees in Bank of the West and Rite-Aid beginning Nov. 28. Toys and gifts must be returned to the tree no later than Dec. 10. “When you pull a tag, it is very important that the tag is secured on the unwrapped toy or item when it is returned to the tree,” Novoa highlighted.

She also stressed that presents should not be wrapped ahead of time. Presents need to be newly purchased, not used.

“And if you find you cannot make the donation, please return the tag to the tree,” Novoa requested. That insures every child on the Toys for Tots list receives a gift. The league purchases toys or items for the tags that are not pulled although funds are a little low this year and Novoa reported they may not be able to supplement as much as they have in past years.

“Monetary donations are slowly coming in this year,” she said. Anyone wanting to make a contribution may leave it at the bank or at Novoa’s Jewelers. “We have a group of volunteers who will shop the last week to make sure all the tags are filled.”

Interact/Rotary Food Drive

Orestimba High School Interact members will be dropping off collection bags at homes on Dec. 8 for a citywide food collection on Dec. 10. The community is asked to leave non-perishable items on their doorsteps for the students to pick up. Leave the porch light on if possible for better viewing. Residents who don’t receive a bag can still leave items out for collection. Canned, boxed and/or bagged food items are greatly appreciated and will be distributed to families and individuals in the community under the Salvation Army holiday food program that coincides with the Santa toy delivery.

Another way to contribute to the holiday food program is by making a $10 donation at Nob Hill Foods, which the store will match to provide a $20 bagful of groceries. Local grocers are also donating turkeys, hams and chickens to round out the holiday food deliveries.

Food, toys and gifts will be delivered on Dec. 13 with the help of the Newman Rotary Club.

“The parents are always very appreciative, there’s usually tears,” Joe Evans reflected. “We walk in with the toys for the kids all wrapped and waiting to be opened but many times the kids are even more excited to see the bags of food. It’s very humbling, yet rewarding.”

Coat, book drives

Other organizations are pitching in this holiday season as well.

Friends of the Newman Library are encouraging residents to “Give the Gift of Reading” at Christmas with a book drive. Donated books will be delivered with the Toys for Tots gifts and holiday food baskets. The book drive works much like the Toys for Tots. Contributors may take one or more tags from the tree at the Newman branch library, purchase a new book appropriate for the age and gender information contained on each tag and return the book to the tree (no later than Dec. 4). Financial contributions for book purchases are also welcome.

The Cesar Chavez Club at Yolo is collaborating with the Newman Women’s League, Newman Rotary, OHS Interact and OHS after-school program to conduct a coat and blanket drive. New and gently-used coats and blankets may be dropped off at Von Renner, Bonita, Hunt, Orestimba, Yolo and the Newman Co-op Nursery School through Dec. 5.