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 photo

Submitted

Though the media makes the holiday season look sparkling and full of joy, that is not the reality for many of the children & families the Bridge serves. To help those in need, we have put together our 2015 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, boots, or a favorite snack.

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

• Gift cards: Marshalls, WalMart, Kohls, BJs, Best Buy, Babies R Us, Target, Old Navy, The Gap, TJ Maxx, Eblens, Hollister, Westfarms Mall, Buckland Hills Mall, Michaels, Jerry’s Artarama, Bow-Tie Cinema, Rave Cinema, CVS, Walgreens, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, restaurants (Subway, Panera Bread, Arby’s, Chilis, Ruby Tuesdays, Olive Garden, A.C.Petersons ), super markets, Visa and American Express gift cards.
• New basketballs, yoga mats, tennis racquets, badminton racquets and birdies, soccer balls, and bikes and helmets.
• Nintendo Wii, games, and accessories; Xbox 360 gaming console; karaoke machine; phones.
• New board games for youth 10 and up, Legos, books birth to teens, arts and crafts supplies, DVDs (G, PG, and PG13), journals, 2016 planners.
• New winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, snow pants for infants through size 16, snow boots for children size 5 and up, mittens for children, raincoats for toddlers through third graders, socks, PJs, wallets, umbrellas.
• New household items: fire extinguishers, alarm clocks, kitchen ware (Tupperware, pots, utensils, etc.), lamps, vacuums, carpet steam cleaner, steam mop, lamps, twin sheets and comforters, towels, bath rugs.
• Hams, turkeys, baked goods, Christmas candy.

BIG WISH: Sponsor rent for a year for a homeless young person.

Please try to bring donations by Dec. 15, but no later than Dec. 19. Thank you.

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. For additional information contact 860-521-8035, [email protected], or www.bridgefamilycenter.org.