Call to the community

Practical needs drive Red Cross wish list

By Laura Tonkyn, Journal staff | Tuesday, January 06, 2009

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There’s nothing too fancy on this year’s wish list for the Black Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross — just six items that answer a few practical needs of the agency charged with being a first responder to whatever disasters and emergencies befall those who call western South Dakota home.

The first two items — a non-bagless vacuum cleaner and a carpet cleaning service — seem to go together, and executive director Richard Smith has the explanation.

“We get organizations that come in for training, and a lot of times that includes bringing mud with them. Our bagless doesn’t do a very good job. We have older carpet, and it’s a little tough,” he said.

If the agency can get a professional carpet cleaner to bring the carpet back to its best condition, a new vacuum should keep the mud to a minimum.

There’s a practical reason for wanting a two-wheel dolly, too.

“We need to be able to move supplies,” Smith said. “We get water, meals ready-to-eat and heavy and bulky supplies. When we have a disaster, we have to load up a vehicle and we take that vehicle out and have to unload someplace. So, it’s for the ease and efficiency of moving product around.”

Fourth on the list is some computer software – Adobe Creative Suit for Microsoft Windows, to be exact.

“We are trying to improve our newsletter and communications,” Smith said. “We have someone on staff who can use it. We print and e-mail, and like everybody, we are trying to reduce postage. It’s pretty cumbersome to do everything in Word. We are looking for a technological improvement.”

The fifth item might require a special donor – there’s a need for a small, economical car.

“We have a van that we use. Especially when the price of gas was up, it was a cost to put gas in the big van,” he said. “We are just looking for something because we are doing more travel. Today, we’ve been to Black Hawk for a fire and are now going to Custer for a fire.”

The Black Hills Red Cross serves the entire West River area, which means a lot of travel. “We’re trying to be good stewards of the money we’re given. If someone has an economical car, it will help us out to be good stewards,” Smith said.

And the last item on the wish list? It’s a 52-inch flat screen TV for training purposes. “We get 20 people in here at a time, and there was some discussion if it needed to be that big,” Smith said. “It’s just looking for a TV that frees up more of the room. When we’re teaching CPR, it can get crowded. We could mount it up on the wall, so it would give us two or three more feet.”

Whatever wishes are granted, the Red Cross and other agencies are pleased and grateful for all donations and services.

“How nice it is when those gifts come along,” Smith said. “All places greatly appreciate it when those items come in. It does help keep expenses lower so we can actually do more services.”

Contact Laura Tonkyn at 394-8405 or laura.tonkyn@rapidcityjournal.com.

For the 11th year, the Journal has asked area philanthropic organizations to list their needs. Their wishes include simple items such as paper, craft supplies and tools. Others are more substantial -- vehicles, computers and building supplies. The needs of the groups that serve our communities exist whether it’s Christmas time or not. This list of wishes is for the entire year.

Black Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross

1221 N. Maple Ave.

Rapid City, SD 57701

Contact: Betsy Mergenthal at 342-4010

Wish list:

* A non-bagless vacuum cleaner

* Carpet cleaning service

* y A two-wheel dolly

* y Adobe Creative Suite for Microsoft Windows

* y A small, economical car

* y A 52-inch flat screen TV for training

Black Hills Children’s Home Society

Rockerville and Rapid City

Contact: Jen Eaton at 343-2811 or jennifer.eaton@ chssd.org

Tully House

* Movie passes

* Gift certificates for indoor swimming pool

* Ice skating passes

* Soccer goals

* Elbow and knee pads for sports

* DVD/VHS player

* Wal-Mart gift cards

* MP3 players

* Basketballs and footballs

* Sleds for winter months

* Personal CD players

* Board games

West Unit

* X-Box 360 Guitar Hero

* Passes to Watiki Waterpark

* Bicycles

* Movie passes

* CD player

* DVDs (G, PG)

* Rapid City Rush tickets

* Restaurant gift certificates

* Slippers and pajamas (call for sizes)

* Puzzles

* Board games

* Arts and crafts supplies

* Universal remotes

* Sleds for winter months

* Sleeping bags

* Lincoln Logs

* Building blocks

* Legos

* Ski passes to Terry Peak, Deer Mountain

Messengers Childrens Center

* Wii games (rated E or 10+)

* Wii fit games

* Gift cards to Wal-Mart, Target, Gordmans

* Movie passes

* Dinner out gift cards (pizza, fast food)

* Ice skating passes

* Pottery 2 Paint gift cards

* Cranium games

* Native art work to hang on walls

East Unit

* Two way radios

* Leather rocking chair

* Stereo with surround sound system

* Projector and screen

* 3-in-1 game table (pool, hockey, ping-pong)

* DVDs (G, PG) see below for examples

* Big picture frames

* Collage picture frames

* Attitude/motivational posters

* DVD/VHS player

* New computer desk

* Digital camera

* Photo printer and photo paper

* Entertainment stand

Classroom

* Educational videos (science, history, Lakota)

* Multiplication math games

* Laminating rolls for laminating machine

* Headphones (ear buds)

* Children’s books on CD

* Gift certificates to Parent Teacher Outlet

* CD player for classroom

* Knex sets

* Lincoln Logs, classroom size

* Early Childhood Doll House, classroom size

* Early Childhood Kitchen Set, classroom size

* Kitchen utensils for Kitchen set

* Unifix math cubes

* Classroom quality storage shelves with bins

Child Advocacy Center

* Gift cards Wal-Mart

* Games — Aggravation, Apples to Apples, Apples to Apples Jr., Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?, Battleship, Bingo, Charades for Kids, Chess, Clue, Clue Jr., Connect Four, Cootie, Cranium games, Disney Sorry, Disney Wheel of Fortune, Dominos, Don’t Break The Ice, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Jenga, Life, Mancala, Memory Game, Monopoly, Monopoly (electronic), Monopoly Jr., Operation, Perfection, Pictionary, Pictionary Jr., Rubik’s Cube Revolution, Rummikub, Scattergories Jr., Scrabble, Scrabble Jr., Simon, Sorry, Taboo Jr., Toss Across, Trouble, Uno Attack, Whac-a-Mole, Yahtzee, Yahtzee Jr.

* Card games — Skip Bo, Uno, Phase 10, Crazy 8s, Flash cards, Go Fish, Gin Rummy, Hit the Deck, standard deck of cards, Old Maid, Hearts.

* DVDs — Aladdin, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Annie, Beauty & the Beast, Bridge to Terabithia, Charlotte’s Web, Christmas movies, Chronicle of Narnia movies, Cinderella, Dennis the Menace, Discovery Channel movies, Dora the Explorer movies, Finding Nemo, Fly Me to the Moon, High School Musical movies, Homeward Bound, Ice Age movies, Igor, Kung Fu Panda, Meet the Robinsons, Monsters Inc., Planet Earth Collection, School House Rock, Shrek movies, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Space Chimps, Speedracer, Sponge Bob movies, Surf’s Up, The Incredibles, The Princess Bride, Toy Story movies, Veggie Tales, Wall-E.

Other:

* Arts and crafts supplies

* Coloring books

* Crayons and markers

* PlayDoh

* School supplies

* Socks and underwear

* Hats, scarves, mittens

* Slipper socks

* Pajamas (all sizes)

* Personal care items

* Hair accessories

* Towels and washcloths

* Children’s books

* Books on CD

* Kids music CDs

* CD players, boom boxes

* Kids’ movies

* Handheld video games

* Sports balls and equipment

* Frisbees

* Rubbermaid tubs (all sizes)

* Fun Baid-aids

* Batteries (all sizes)

* Legos, K-Nex sets

* Bionicles, Magnetix sets

* Model cars

* Hot Wheels

* Matchbox cars

* Puzzles

* Floor puzzles

* Board games

* Card games

* Play Station games (not violent)

* Wii games (not violent)

* Bean bag and video chairs

* Action figures (not violent)

* Rescue Heroes

* Star Wars, Spiderman figures

* Baby dolls and clothes

* Baby doll care sets

* Barbie or My Scene dolls

* Clothes and accessories for dolls

* Barbie play sets

Black Hills Parrot Welfare and Education Center

11766 Prospect Road

Hill City, SD 57745

Contact: Greg or Cindy at 574-4542

Wish list:

* 6-10 gallon electric heater

* 1,500 square feet of R-13 insulation

* 30 pieces of sheetrock (4-by-12-by-1/2-inch)

* 250 gallon water tank

* 20 (4-foot) UVA/UVB flourescent bulbs

* 4-foot-by-6-foot window

* 3 (3-foot) 220 cove heaters

* 1 (6-foot) 220 cove heater

* 120 feet 2-2-4 aluminum siding

* 1,200 square feet of metal siding

* 135 square feet of rock veneer

* 28 bags of blow-in insulation

* 700 square feet of ceramic floor tile

* Ceiling fan

* Water pressure pump

* 650 square feet of 1-inch-by-2-inch aviary wire

* Metal shelving

* Stainless steel prep table

* SVGA Power Point projector

* 3 (6-foot) tables

* 12 folding chairs

* 37-inch flat screen TV

Thousands of exotic companion birds are displaced each year because their caretakers can no longer provide the time or attention they require. The least fortunate unwanted birds are passed from home to home before dying from neglect or abuse. The lucky ones end up in shelters or sanctuaries.

Black Hills Parrot Welfare is incorporated with the state of South Dakota as a nonprofit organization and is a 501(C-3). Pay Pal donations can be e-mailed to bhparrotwelfare@

yahoo.com

Black Hills Workshop

Contact: Dorothy Rosby, community relations director, at 718-6205

Wish list:

Items needed to establish apartments:

* Microwaves, towels, cleaning supplies, etc.

* Clothing needs and shoes

Recreation:

* Swimming passes, concert tickets

* Digital cameras

* Arts or craft donations

* Computer games

* Talking books

* Movies

* Group games

* Fish tank

* Vehicles, especially vans, wheelchair vans

* Wheelchair lifts

Miscellaneous:

* Upright carpet shampooer

* Food processor

* Financial donations

Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center

1107 Mount Rushmore Road, Suite 3

Rapid City, SD 57701

Contact: Stacy Wollman at 341-4477

Wish list:

* Program supplies — new maternity clothes, diapers, dry baby formula

* Office equipment — computers, printers, projector, (LCD) copiers

* Office supplies — copy paper, envelopes, stamps

* Bathroom supplies — toilet paper, paper towels, air fresheners

* Kitchen supplies — coffee, tea, dry mix refreshments, coffee makers

* Volunteer help

* Financial donations

Chester’s Place

110 Fairgrounds Place

Rapid City, SD

Contact: Virginia Potter at 209-8319

Wish list:

* Copy paper

* Paper tablets

* Big wire kennels

* Litter pans

* Litter pooper-scoopers

* Hoses and spray heads

* Spray bottles

y Buckets

* Towels

* Blankets

* Paper towels

* Rubber gloves

* Cat doors (in and out)

* Stamps

* Treadmill

* Stainless steel water bowls

* Chairs that can be washed

* Cat toys

* Restaurant size kitchen sink

* Stainless steel food bowls

* Food storage containers

* Scrub brushes

* Bleach

* Scratching posts

* Tools

* Monetary donations

* Envelopes

* Stethoscopes

* Cat beds

* Cat condos

* Dish soap

* Food (dog and cat)

Chester’s Place offers shelter and services for dogs and cats. Items may be dropped off at Chester’s Place (255-4069), at Paws Bakery, 607 St. Joseph St. (388-3925), or Pet Pantry, 1101 W. Omaha St. (343-5500).

Church Response

30 Main St.

Rapid City, SD 57701

Contact: Lynda Mentele at 342-5360

Wish list:

* Everybody who purchases Church Response food certificates and uses them to buy groceries, prescriptions, gasoline or other items at participating grocery stores helps Church Response with a 5 cent donation for every dollar you spend.

Food certificates are available at most churches and also at the Church Response office, 30 Main St. (east door of building). Office hours are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Certificates can be used at Don’s Valley Market, Family Thrift, Prairie Market and Safeway.

The Club for Boys

PO Box 907

Rapid City, SD 57709

Contact: Scott Bader, executive director, at 343-3500

Wish list:

* Toys

* 6-foot and 8-foot plastic tables

* Three-step stool ladder

* 18 quart or larger Rubbermaid totes

* Crayons

* Plaster of Paris molds

* Hot and cold glue guns

* Tempera paints

* Craft supplies

* Children’s books and magazine subscriptions

* DVD movies and cartoons

* Computer games and educational software

* Board games

* Microsoft X-Box games

* Nintendo Wii “Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party” game and other Wii games

* Wii balance boards

* Heavy-duty folding chairs

* Snowshoes

* Ice fishing poles

* Binoculars for birding

* Action figures (Marvel/DC superheroes, Ninja turtles, Transformers, etc)

* Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars and track sets

* Star Wars Lego sets

* Basketballs — all sizes

* Wrestling shoes, headgear, and singlets

* Training gloves for punching bags

* Wrestling mat

* Tumbling mats

* Indoor youth hockey sticks

* Stop watches

* 100-foot tape measure

* Medicine balls

* Indoor bases

* Fat bats or other wiffleball bats

* Sports cards

* Mini Wilson NFL footballs

* Jump ropes

* Sports drinks

* Reusable ice packs

* Floor tape

* Bath towels

* Inspirational sports posters

* Hand mixers

* 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch 4-foot-by-4 foot boards for wood shop projects

Custer Senior Center

Contact: Ellen Conroy at 391-4292

Wish list:

* New computers. The center presently uses WindowsME, which is no longer supported. At the least, the center needs WindowsXP software, but would be most helped with one or two newer computers.

The Literacy Network and the Literacy Council of the Black Hills

Rushmore Mall

Contact: Bonita Lay at 348-4126

Wish list:

* Volunteers to be adult tutors and staff the phone line; and readers and workers at events held at Rushmore Mall and in the community.

* New or nearly new children’s books, especially for infants through first graders

* Books and current magazines

* Prizes for events

* Literacy-related brochures and flyers for handouts

* Money to buy brochures and print handouts

* English as a second language and GED materials

* Refreshments for events

* Literacy materials for special days, weeks and months

* Large dry erase board and dry erase markers

* Copier paper and toner for Brother Model HQ1200 (MFC7420, MFC7820N) copier

* Cartridges for printer HPPSC1315 (bought separately, not all in one)

The Meals Program (aka Meals on Wheels)

303 N. Maple Ave.

Rapid City, SD 57701

Contact: 394-6002 or www.mealsprogram.com

Wish list:

* Microwave oven

* 25 new coolers to deliver meals

* 25 new ice packs

* Donations for individuals to receive meals

* Volunteers to deliver meals

Memorial Christian Day care

Memorial Christian School

4905 S. Highway 16

Rapid City, SD 57701

Contact: Joyce Beebe, director, at 342-8265.

Wish list for day care:

* Arts and craft items: beads and string, foam sheets, foam crafts for winter and spring, foam alphabet letters, styrophome balls, sun catchers, markers, colors, individual paint sets, playdough, glitter glue, shaving cream, balloons, all items for craft activities.

* Games for preschool through kindergarten

* Games for first through fifth grades

* Building-type toys/activities

* Computer activities and games

* Small tables and chairs

Wish list for school:

* Smart boards for each classroom

* Laptop computers and storage unit

Michael Fitzmaurice State Veteran’s Home,

2500 Minnekahta Ave.

Hot Springs. SD 57747-1199

Contact: 745-5127

Wish list:

* 12 gauge shotgun shells for trap shooting.

* Fishing supplies such as fishing poles, tackle, etc.

* Bedspreads/quilts for twin size beds predominately, with a few double beds. There are 96 male and 39 female veterans.

* Furnishings (table and matching chairs, living room set, throw rugs, pictures, wallpaper and drapes) for the

common living room.

Some veterans love to trapshoot, but it takes a lot of shells. There are many vet fishmermen, but they do not have any equipment. The common living area has worn and mismatched furniture and does not create a homey feeling. Most veterans have no family and would appreciate a homelike setting in their common living room.

Prairie Hills Transit

436 Colorado Blvd.

Spearfish, SD 57783

Contact: Sue Sperl Ames at 642-6668

Wish list:

Adopt a rider — Prairie Hills Transit riders in the Northern and Southern Hills communities could be greatly blessed with a gift of mobility and independence in the form of wheel tickets (pre-paid bus rides) in the coming year. While the service is available to anyone in the communities, it specializes in providing handicap-accessible transportation. For many, it involves three trips a week to Rapid City for critical dialysis or chemotherapy treatments, which can become a financial burden, especially for those on a fixed income. Similarly, young families could benefit from semester passes for their children who need the services the transit program provides to get to and from school.

 

Project Warmth, a division of Black Hills Quilters Guild

Contact: 348-4398

Wish list:

* Material and batting

* Money to buy supplies

* Quilters — long-arm, hobby and folks who do quilting on their sewing machines. Quilts go to local fire victims, WAVI, Youth & Family Services, Mended Little Hearts, Black Hills Children’s Home/Emergency Homes and Pediatrics at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Spearfish/Sturgis Nutrition Center

430 Oriole Drive

Spearfish, SD 57783

Contact: Jack Robinson at 642-6613

Wish list:

Residents who rely on Meals on Wheels or the senior meals provided daily at the Spearfish or Sturgis Nutrition Sites would benefit from a gift of meal tickets that would cover their food costs for a week or a month or perhaps even longer. Sometimes it comes down to deciding between a meal ticket or a medical prescription because the money just isn’t there for both.

Suncatcher Therapeutic Riding Academy

PO Box 3975

Rapid City, SD 57709

Contact: Linda Smedshammer at 673-2935 or 484-4883

Wish list:

Horse care and tack:

* Senior horse feed and hay and Strategy pellets 

* Stable supplies — feed tubs, water buckets, hay nets, water-tank heater, hay racks/feeders, barn/hay cart, wheelbarrow, apple-pickers/manure forks.  Also, saddle soap and leather-new.

* Horse-care products: Vaccinations, de-wormer, salt bricks/blocks, vitamin/mineral conditioner, joint and allergy supplements, fly repellent and masks, horse shampoo and conditioner, coat shine.

* Child-size horse brushes, grooming caddies, braiding equipment, 13-inch kid saddle.

* Veterinary services (tooth-floating, sheath-cleaning); farrier services (horseshoes and/or nails).

* Saddle racks — Standing, hanging and/or folding, wheeled saddle caddy.

* Bridles, roping reins, latigos, billets, neoprene girths/cinches (34-inch to 36-inch), pony harnesses, Flag boots.

* Synthetic Western saddles — New or used, 8-10-inch mini saddles; English dressage saddle.  

Arena equipment/transportation/stable equipment

* Poles, barrels, Cavalletti, jump standards, rails/ground poles, flags, cones, mounting blocks/ steps.

* Arena toys and games:  Colored markers, sensa-rings, tactile rings, balls, beeper toys/tones, (www.freedomrider.com,) felt board, felt, hoops, white boards and markers, magnet sheets, self-laminate sheets, magnet boards, clocks w/ large numbers, bulletin boards.     

* Gasoline/gas cards, motor oil, tires for horse trailer and/or truck.  BobCat or Skid-Loader.

Office supplies

* Office Supplies: No. 10 envelopes, file folders, file/mailing labels, paper, card stock.  postage.

* Printing/copying services, new ink cartridges — Epson printers.  

* First aid kits; fire extinguishers; bottled water.

* 40 (1-inch) clear binders for program, various binders, white card stock, pantry shelf with locking doors.

Office equipment

* Lap top, LCD monitor(s), file cabinet(s), stacking file baskets, credenza, desk mats.

Other equipment

* PA system; portable FM instructor system...  

* Software — Windows XP Pro/ Vista, Front Page, Microsoft Office Professional 2007.

* SunCatcher sign, heavy-duty canvas tent (Army surplus), warming trays, pizza oven.  

* Sponsors for: ribbons, trophies and patches. Also, costumes for horse shows.

* Batteries, flashlights, lanterns, coffee pots (two big ones), canopy (with sides).

Volunteers

* Sewing club to sew vests and costumes for riders/horses.

* Desk-top publisher who is familiar with Adobe “In-Design” to format annual report/program book and/or to format newsletter

* Volunteers for arena, stable, office and events.

SunCatcher is working with various local service agencies — including Children’s Care, Black Hills Workshop, Little Miracles PT/OT, Special Olympics, BH Special Services, Beverly Healthcare, Youth & Family Services, N Hills Training Center — to provide equine-assisted therapeutic services to participants at locations in the Rapid City, Spearfish/Belle Fourche, and Hot Springs areas.

Volunteers of America, Dakotas

Contact: Kerri Clucas at 341-8336

Volunteers of America, Dakotas “Mommy’s Closet” provides emergency support and resources to families with children from birth to five years old. We also provide services to people through five other programs which promote self-sufficiency and being productive members in our community.

Wish list:

* Volunteers

* Winter clothing for children birth to 5 years old

* Maternity clothing

* Formula (milk and soy-based)

* Personal care items and laundry soap

* Cribs or playpens

* Diapers of all sizes (excluding size 5)

* Baby wipes

* Financial support

Working Against Violence Inc.

Contact: 341-3292

Donations for W.A.V.I. can be taken to the Cornerstone Rescue Mission, 401 Eleventh St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may also call to set up a time outside these office hours.

Wish list:

Clothing

* New swimsuits for client recreation

* New underwear, socks and bras for women and children*

* Pajamas for women and children (gently used)

* Sweat suits for women and children (gently used)

Food donations

* Cold cereal*

* Fresh fruits and vegetables*

* Gift Certificates to Family Thrift Center and Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club*

Non-perishable items

* General supplies

* Blue/black  ink pens

* Copier paper*

* Envelopes (any size)

* Ink cartridges (HP 56 & 57)*

* Pastel-colored paper*

* Postage stamps*

Personal grooming items

(new items only)

* Full size body washes*

* Full size conditioner*

* Disposable razors*

* Feminine hygiene products (pads and tampons)

* Full size deodorant

* Hair spray or gel

* Full size lotion

* Single pack combs/brushes*

* Sunscreen

Children’s items

* Baby lotion, shampoo and bath*

* Baby powder*

* Baby wipes*

* Diaper rash cream

* Diapers (Size 4, 5, 6)

* Handheld electronic games

* Movie tickets

* Passes to community events

* Porta-cribs*

* Single and double strollers

Shelter supplies

* Bath towels and washcloths

* Bleach*

* Murphy’s Oil Soap*

* Cascade

* Clorox Wipes*

* Glass Plus

* Laundry soap*

* Paper towels*

* Toilet bowl cleaner

* Toilet paper*

* Mr. Clean Magic Erasers

* Furniture

Currently referred to: The Cornerstone Mission Thrift Store at  716-2768.

Love, INC. at 718-5683.

Other program needs

* Cell phones

* Monetary donations

* Phone cards*

* Rapid Ride bus ticket*

* These items are in great need.

Wellspring Inc.

Rapid City, SD

Contact: Danita Simons, development director, at 718-4870

Wish list:

* Pencils

* Paper, spiral notebooks

* Crayons

* Art supplies

* AA books

* Journal books

* Books for the library (inspirational books)

* New clothing for boys and girls for ages 10-17 (Youth Large, Youth XLarge, Adult S,M,L) such as: socks, pajamas, plain T-shirts, sweatshirts and sweatpants, gloves, coats, slippers, sports and bras.

* Games

* Crockpot

* Pot and pans

* Cookie sheets

* Serving spoons

* Vacuum

* Plastic drinking cups

* Wire racks or shelving for food storage

* Three 12-seat passenger vans

* Refrigerator

* Freezer

* DVD/VCR combo

* Stuffed animals

* 42” flat screen television to mounted on a wall for safety purposes

* 24-25-inch television for training with cart

* CD Walkman with head sets

Youth and Family Services

Contact: Steve Merrill, YFS development director, or Connie Olson, YFS development coordinator, at 342-4195.

Since its inception in 1965, Youth & Family Services has grown to become one of the most comprehensive health and human service organizations in western South Dakota. This nonprofit focuses on offering services and programs for children up to age 18 and their families designed to support them in becoming capable, caring and contributing members of the community. In pursuit of this goal, YFS enlists a network of programs and services that last year served more than 11,000 children and their families in Rapid City and 24 counties in western South Dakota. The following YFS programs and services could use a little Christmas cheer this holiday season:

Girls Incorporated of Rapid City provides fun and exciting educational and recreational activities throughout the school year, as well as each weekday during the summer for girls ages 6 to 17. The more than 1,360 girls enrolled in the program are learning to become strong, smart and bold.

Wish list:

* Hats and gloves for girls

* New girls’ socks and underwear

* Girls’ snow boots and winter coats

* Girls’ athletic shoes

* New girls’ sweat pants and sweatshirts

* New books for girls ages 6 to 17

* Arts and crafts supplies

* Hygiene (shampoo, body wash, lotion, etc.) and first-aid supplies

* School supplies

* Bus passes

* Phone cards

* Gift cards for pharmacies, grocery stores and other retailers

* Gas coupons to offset transportation costs

* Cash donations

YFS Child Care, which serves preschool and school-aged children year-round and middle school students during the summer, seeks to meet the community’s need for licensed, quality, affordable and safe child care for children 4 weeks to 14 years of age.

Wish list:

* New boys and girls underwear in all sizes

* Nonviolent games and toys for 2- to 14-year-olds

* New socks for children ages 2 to 12

* First-aid kits and/or supplies

* Diapers and pull-ups in various sizes

* Winter hats, gloves and boots

* Craft items such as construction paper, glue, crayons, markers, paint and glitter

* Swimsuits of all sizes for boys and girls

* Board games

* New books and puzzles

* Storage tubs

* Gas coupons to offset transportation costs

* Cash donations

YFS Rapid City Head Start, which serves low-income children from birth to age 5 and their families, promotes the social competency of young children and the self-sufficiency of families.

Wish list:

* New books for children ages 3 to 5

* Craft items such as water paints, crayons, washable markers, glitter and children’s scissors

* Gas coupons for families who need help getting their children to class

* Disposable diapers for babies and toddlers

* Clothes and blankets for newborn babies

* Clothes and shoes for toddlers

* Winter coats, snow boots, hats, mittens and gloves for children 0 to 5

* Household items such as laundry soap, smoke detectors, small fire extinguishers, first-aid kits

* Personal hygiene items like soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste

* Grocery and retail store gift certificates for families

* Nonviolent toys for children ages 0 to 5

* Cribs, bed frames and/or mattresses and box springs in good shape

* Cash donations

YFS Rural Head Start serves expectant parents and families with children from birth to age 5 who live in rural communities in eight counties in western South Dakota. Staff encourage parents to fully experience and enjoy their relationships with their children.

Wish list:

* New children’s books

* Cribs

* High chairs and toddler beds

* Baby formula

* Gas coupons for rural families

* Household items such laundry soap, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and first-aid kits

* Disposable diapers for babies and toddlers

* Clothes and blankets for newborns

* Clothes and shoes for toddlers

* Toys for children from birth through age 5

* Winter coats, snow boots, hats and mittens for toddlers

* Shampoo, soap, lotion and baby food

* Cash donations

YFS Counseling Center provides outpatient counseling, intervention and therapy for children and families. The center also oversees the Boys Health program, which offers mentoring, pregnancy prevention and health services to approximately 100 boys annually.

* Boys sports equipment

* Hats, gloves and hooded sweatshirts

* Movie tickets

* Activity passes to local attractions

* Toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and shampoo

* Gas coupons

* Coloring and activity books

* Art clay, paint, markers and other art therapy supplies

* Cash donations

YFS Nutrition Services serves more than one million healthy meals and snacks in western South Dakota and provides assistance with meal planning and preparation, nutrition and child development.

* Boxes of fresh apples and oranges

* Chocolate chips and other cooking ingredients for class projects

* Basic skills cooking books, measuring utensils, blank recipe cards, mixing bowls and spoons for parent cooking classes

* Cake mixes for monthly birthday celebrations for children

YFS Kids Fair celebrates children and their families. Proceeds from this annual three-day event benefit YFS programs. The dates for Kids Fair 2009 are April 17, 18 and 19.

Wish list:

* Monetary donations to cover ticket prices for low-income children ($3 each) event sponsors.