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Janesville area nonprofits share their Christmas wish lists

JANESVILLE — Here’s the problem with copier paper: Fire regulations prohibit anyone, including Santa Claus, from dropping it down a chimney.

Apparently, it’s flammable, unlike the thousands of toys, electronic devices and ugly sweaters traditional delivered via chimney.

Copier paper is just one of the supplies that help nonprofits survive. They also need yarn, new and unwrapped gifts for children, DVD players, gas gift cards, blankets, art supplies, park benches, pruning shears, moist dog treats, low-dose aspirin and socks and underwear.

Yes, even nonprofits need socks and underwear.

What all of them need, of course, are volunteers and donations to keep their programs going.

The Gazette asked them what else might help them serve the community and their clients, and this is what they told us:

Agrace HospiceCare

Mission: Hospice care

Wish list: Washable, non-wool yarns and new Teddy bears (larger than 10 inches) with tags still attached.

Drop off: During business hours at 3001 W. Memorial Drive, Janesville.

Contact: Charlene Malueg, (608) 327-7180 or charlene.malueg@agracehospicecare.org

American Red Cross

Mission: Disaster relief

Wish list: GPS units, new blankets, new flip-flops, new sweat pants.

Drop off: Red Cross office, 211 N. Parker Drive, Janesville, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Contact: Tammy DeGarmo, (608) 232-5833 or tdegarmo@arcbadger.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rock, Walworth and Jefferson counties

Mission: Providing adult role models and mentors for youth

Wish list: Two-person board games or card games appropriate for ages 6-12, 20-pound business copy paper, office supply gift cards.

Contact for drop off: (608) 362-8223 or bbbsjolynn@hotmail.com

Boys & Girls Club of Janesville

Mission: Serving youth

Wish list: New markers, art supplies, board games and recently released movies rated G or PG.

Drop off: Boys & Girls Club, 200 W. Court St., Janesville, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Contact: Call (608) 755-0575 or bbuchanan@bgcjanesville.org

CASA of Rock County

Mission: Advocating for children who are the victims of abuse and neglect

Wish list: Copier with automatic feed and double-sided capability, multimedia projector, copy paper, Forever postage stamps.

Contact for drop off: (608) 305-0187 or casarockcounty@yahoo.com

Creekside Place

Mission: Serving Evansville seniors and community

Wish list: Items for arts and craft room, woodworking tools, 10 Zumba sticks, outdoor benches.

Contact for drop off: (608) 490-0760

ECHO

Mission: Providing food and social services to the Janesville area

Wish list: New, unwrapped toys for Christmas toy drive. Donations accepted through Dec. 15.

Drop off: ECHO, 65 High St., Janesville, 9 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 9 a.m.-noon, Friday.

Contact: (608) 754-5333

Edgerton Community Outreach

Mission: Providing programs and services for people in need

Wish list: Laundry and dish soap, cereal and food items, personal care items.

Contact for drop off: (608) 884-9593 or outreachwilliams@gmail.com

Friends of Riverside Park

Mission: Keeping the park intact, vibrant and vital.

Wish list: Trees, picnic tables, park bench, pruning shears.

Contact for drop off: Pam Van Brocklin, (608) 563-4454 or at pamvanbrock@charter.net

GIFTS Men’s Shelter

Mission: Providing shelter for homeless men

Wish list: 60-minute Tracfone cards, new underwear, new warm socks, stocking hats.

Contact for drop off: Drop off items at current shelter site. Shelter sites can be found at gifts-shelter.org/schedule. Or contact Paul Benish at (608) 751-7848 for information

HealthNet of Rock County

Mission: Providing medical and dental services to low-income and uninsured people

Wish list: Office supplies (printer paper, pens), cleaning supplies (paper towels, toilet paper, counter cleaner), low-dose aspirin.

Contact for drop off: Jean Randles, (608) 756-4638

Healthy Families First

Mission: Improving the health of mothers and infants

Wish list: Baby-proofing devices for the home, diapers for babies 12 months old and younger, pack-and-play cribs.

Drop off: Public health offices, 3328 N. Highway 51, Janesville, or 61 Eclipse Center, Beloit, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Contact: Call (608) 757-5440 or (608) 364-2010

Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center

Mission: Rehabilitating birds of prey and providing educational programs

Wish list: 8-foot chain link kennel, small snow blower and gift cards for building materials and gas.

Contact for drop off: (608) 883-2795 or falco5@ticon.net

Janesville Performing Arts Center

Mission: Providing a diverse mix of entertainment to the area

Wish list: 9-volt batteries, 60-watt incandescent light bulbs, Avery 5160 labels and colored paper.

Drop off: JPAC, 408 S. Main St., Janesville, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Friday.

Contact: (608) 758-0297 or Elizabeth@janesvillepac.org

KANDU Industries

Mission: Providing work opportunities for people with disabilities or disadvantages

Wish list: Easy stand-up lift, label barcode printer or inkjet printer, new windows for Adel Street building.

Drop off: KANDU, 1741 Adel St., Janesville 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday.

Contact: Julie Smith, (608) 755-4123, Ext. 321

Mercy Hospice Volunteers

Mission: Serving those in hospice

Wish list: Yarn, pillow stuffing, cotton fabric and gas cards.

Drop off: MAC Home Health & Hospice, Henry Palmer Building, 901 Mineral Point Ave., Janesville, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Contact: (608) 754-2201 or jrasmussen@mhsjvl.org

Nutrition and Health Associates

Mission: Improving maternal and child nutrition and health

Wish list: New baby blankets (handmade or purchased), newborn to toddler diapers, copier paper, paper goods (facial tissue, toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates).

Drop off: NHA office, 32 E. Racine St., Janesville, during business hours.

Contact: (608) 754-3722

Pregnancy Helpline

Mission: Providing support and non-medical resources to pregnant women and their families

Wish list: Diapers, baby wash/shampoo, Good Start formula with the orange label, gently used winter clothing size 2T.

Drop off: Pregnancy Helpline, 21 S. Jackson St., Suite C, 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday or by appointment.

Contact: (608) 755-9739 or cheryl@pregnancy-helpline.net

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program

Mission: Placing volunteers ages 55 and older

Wish list: Colored copy paper, four-ply yarn, office products gift cards, cleaning and paper supplies for the office.

Drop off: During business hours at RSVP office, 2433 S. Riverside Drive, Beloit, or at the Janesville Senior Center, 69 S. Water St., Janesville. Items dropped off at the senior center should be marked, “for RSVP.”

Contact: (608) 362-9593 or (608) 756-4281 or vpalombi@rsvp-rock.org

Riverfront

Mission: Providing support and employment for disabled adults

Wish list: Mod Podge, puzzles of 100 pieces or fewer, 4-by-6-inch lined sticky notes.

Drop off: Riverfront, 1107 Barberry Drive, Janesville.

Contact: Sharon Fitzpatrick, (608) 757-0909 or sharon.fitzpatrick@riverfrontinc.org

Rock County Historical Society

Mission: Preserving local history

Wish list: DVD player, digital camera, stackable chairs, upright vacuums.

Drop off: Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center, 426 Jackson St., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

Contact: Joel Van Haaften, 608) 756-4509 or jvanhaaften@rchs.us

Rock County Humane Society

Mission: Sheltering animals

Wish list: Canned, ground or pate-style cat food, cat toys, soft/moist dog treats, bleach, paper towels.

Drop off: Shelter, 222 S. Arch St., Janesville, call for hours.

Contact: Call (608) 752-5622 or go to www.rockcountyhumanesociety.com

Rotary Botanical Gardens

Mission: Maintaining botanical gardens and providing horticultural education

Wish list: Gift cards for gas or hardware stores, gardening gloves, utility cart, small CD boombox and children’s nature-related books for education.

Drop off: Rotary Gardens Parker Educational Center, 1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday

Contact: Kelli Cameron, (608) 752-3885 Ext. 11, or director@rotarygardens.org.

UW-Rock County student services

Mission: Helping cash-strapped adult students provide a happy holiday for their kids

Wish list: Gift cards, toys, books, games, winter clothing.

Drop off: UW-Rock County, 2909 Kellogg Ave., Janesville, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Contact: Marylee Kishel at (608) 758-6565 Ext. 280 or marylee.kishel@uwc.edu

Valley of the Kings Sanctuary and Retreat, Sharon

Mission: Providing sanctuary for big cats and other animals

Wish list: Blankets, paper towels and bleach.

Contact for drop off: (262) 736-9386 or info@votk.org

YWCA

Mission: Anti-violence programming, racial justice and economic empowerment

Wish list: Refrigerators, electric dryers, electric ovens, washers and “gas only” gift cards valued at $15.

Contact for drop off: (608) 752-5445 Ext. 202 or nadia.freie@ywcarockco.com