The Bridge Family Center has put together a list of items and is hoping for the public’s support of the children and families it serves.

Submitted by Nancy Hunt, The Bridge Family Center

Though the media makes the holiday season look sparkling and full of joy, that is not the reality for many of the children and families the Bridge serves. To help those in need of extra help, we have put together our 2014 Wish List. A simple gift can add joy to someone’s holiday. A gift card is the best kind of donation because it allows staff members to purchase items for children or allows the kids themselves to pick out something they need or want – a cozy scarf, a CD, boots, or a favorite snack.

The Bridge serves many families and children through counseling, support groups, and family programs at our Family Resource Center. We operate several residential programs for youth whose lives are in crisis. Most of these young people have suffered tragedy, abuse, or abandonment.

The following is the organization’s 2014 “Wish List.” Donations should be dropped off by Dec. 15 if possible, and no later than Dec. 19.

• Gift cards from Marshalls, WalMart, Kohls, BJs, Best Buy, Babies R Us, Bobs, Target, Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Eblens, Macys, Westfarms Mall, Buckland Hills Mall, Michaels, Jerry’s Artarama, Bow-Tie Cinema, Rave Cinema, CVS, Walgreens, Barnes and Noble, restaurants (Chilis, Ruby Tuesdays, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, A.C.Petersons ), super markets, Visa and American Express gift cards.
• New basketballs, tennis racquets, badminton racquets and birdies, soccer balls, and bikes and helmets.
• Nintendo Wii, games, and accessories; Xbox 360 gaming console; karaoke machine.
• New board games, Legos, books birth to teens, doll house furniture, Play Doh, arts and crafts supplies (yarn, glitter, paints, canvases, etc.), DVDs (G, PG, and PG13), journals, 2015 planners.
• New winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, children’s boots, socks, PJs, wallets, umbrellas.
• New household items: fire extinguishers, alarm clocks, kitchen ware, lamps, vacuums, carpet steam cleaner, steam mop, lamps, twin sheets and comforters, towels, bath rugs.
• Hams, turkeys, baked goods, Christmas candy.
• BIG WISH:  8-passenger vehicle

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – Adults to bake/prepare meals for youth shelter residents; play guitar/sing at holiday parties; volunteers with prior experience with young people to chat, play games, and share activities; volunteers with special skills, such as knitting, yoga, etc., to teach to young children after school or residents in our shelters.

The Bridge Family Center is located at 1022 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT  06107-2105; 860.521.8035; [email protected]; www.bridgefamilycenter.org