Spread some holiday cheer

Your mommy bought you a new PlayStation, grandma bought you a new snowboard, but do you really need more crap filling your dorm room? This winter, instead of spending your holiday money on trips to Canada or another Simpsons DVD set, why not donate your time or unused items to those that actually need it this season? All over Portland, thousands of people have nowhere to go and nothing to eat. Some of these fabulous charities could really use your help and much-needed materials for those less fortunate.

Operation Nightwatch opened their doors in 1981, beginning as a street ministry approaching the city’s homeless and eventually opening a hospitality center. They supply blankets, clothing and personal hygiene items at a time of day when no other helping agency is open. Needed donations (distributed for free to people experiencing poverty and homelessness) from Operation Nightwatch include adult clothing, blankets, guitar strings, backpacks and sleeping bags, new underwear and socks, travel-size hygiene items, TriMet tickets and nonperishable food items. Volunteers are also needed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers can sign up by contacting Operation Nightwatch at [email protected] or by calling 503-228-0746, extension 13.

Portland Rescue Mission was founded in 1949 in a tireless commitment to “break the cycle of homelessness.” At their original location they still offer men’s services, from initial offerings to transitional living. The organization also offers services to women and children from their Shepherd’s Door location that has provided transitional services for almost a decade. For the holidays, Portland Rescue Mission has set up a Web site that people can register at and view a Christmas wish list from the men, women and children in the Mission’s recovery program. Interested parties can contact them via their Web site at www.portlandrescuemission.org, or by calling 503-MISSION (503-647-7466).

Transition Projects is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1969 to serve homeless single adults in their transition from homelessness to housing. Their founding mission states that they aim “to provide lodging, food and other assistance for poor and homeless men.” Now in their 40th year of community service, Transition Projects boasts an adult shelter, youth shelter, an alcohol and drug outpatient program, day shelter, an employment program, a cleanup center and many other programs. Volunteers are needed to assist in running the agency’s computer centers as well as providing meals and other tasks. Interested parties can contact Transition Projects at [email protected].

Rose Haven has been serving the needs of Portland’s less fortunate women and children for over 10 years by providing life-sustaining services and assistance in obtaining help. Rose Haven offers referral and advocacy services to housing, legal aid, medical and mental health care. The agency serves over 100 people a week, providing everything from medical aid to legal assistance for a myriad of issues that face their clients. Items can be donated directly to Rose Haven at their downtown location at 627 NW 18th Ave. Items currently needed include blankets, coats, shoes, socks, gloves, TriMet tickets, hygiene items, women’s and children’s clothing, phone cards, gift gas cards and non-perishable food items. As with the other agencies, volunteers are needed at Rose Haven as well. Those interested can contact volunteer coordinator Ellen Lubrano at 503-248-6364, extension 305.

Before you pop open your eggnog and toast to barely passing your chemistry final or run off to Mt. Hood for an impromptu snowboarding trip, take time to think about those who could really use the bare essentials that you may be taking for granted. A little bit of your time, or a small donation could mean life and death to someone.