HOLIDAY HELPERS in South Mississippi
SANTA WEARS A BADGE
The Biloxi Police Department's Santa Wears a Badge program is accepting unwrapped toys for children up to age 11 and items for senior citizens such as puzzle books, socks or other goodies.
The program serves as many as 200 children and seniors who are recommended by school nurses and teachers, and such agencies as the Biloxi Housing Authority and area churches.
Collection boxes are at the Lopez-Quave Public Safety Center, City Hall and in several area businesses. The deadline for toy donations is Monday. Details: 385-3033.
TOY DRIVES
R.O.C.K. (Resilience of Coastal Kids) Foundation: Donations are being accepted for foster children in Harrison and Hancock counties. Unwrapped toys may be dropped off at any branch of Keesler Federal Credit Union and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, 842 Commerce St., Gulfport. Details: 861-0007.
The Gift of Giving: Donations of unwrapped, packaged toys will be accepted until 5 p.m. Dec. 14 for the drive, sponsored by the Ocean Springs Police Department and Ocean Springs Mayor's Youth Council. Drop-off locations: Big Lots, 2648 Bienville Blvd.; Wal-Mart, 3911 Bienville Blvd.; Ocean Springs High School, 6701 Old Spanish Trail; Ocean Springs Police Department, 3810 Bienville Blvd.; and Ocean Springs City Hall, 1018 Porter Ave. Make donation checks out to The Gift of Giving and bring to City Hall or Hancock Bank. Details: 875-2211 or 875-6722.
OPERATION HOMEFRONT
Military families may register online to receive a free holiday meal in December from Operation Homefront. The national nonprofit will distribute holiday meals to E-1 through E-6 military families and to the families of post-9/11 wounded, ill or injured of all ranks in South Mississippi todaythrough its annual Holiday Meals for Military program.
Families must register beforehand at events.operationhomefront.net/Member/Login.
About 150 meal kits will be distributed, containing all the grocery items necessary for a full holiday meal.
For information on how to volunteer or donate, check out HolidayMealsForMilitary.org.
TOY, CLOTHING GIVEAWAY
First United Gospel Assembly, 2000 28th St., Gulfport, will hold a toy and clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Details: 669-0054.
BELL RINGERS NEEDED
The Salvation Army's 2015 Red Kettle Campaign runs through Christmas Eve and volunteers are being sought to staff the kettle and ring bells across South Mississippi. Hours are generally 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but are flexible.
To participate, call 207-2303 or email zach_rhodes@uss.salvationarmy.org.
BLANKET DRIVE
Dancel Multimedia is collecting new or gently used, clean blankets for the homeless, through Thursday. The blankets will be distributed through a local nonprofit agency. Drop off blankets at 10265 Rodriguez St., D'Iberville.
FEED THE NEEDY
The Gulf Coast Public Safety Feed the Needy Program has begun its 2015 campaign to deliver hot meals to those in need on Christmas Day. This will be the 26th year for the program, which provides about 5,000 meals a year during holiday times. The program is funded by donations only.
To order a meal, call one of the sponsoring agencies: Biloxi Police Department, 385-3033; D'Iberville Police Department, 396-4252; Gulfport Police Department, 868-5703; Gulfport Fire Department, 868-5950; Harrison County Sheriff's Department, 896-0606; Long Beach Police Department, 865-1981; and Pass Christian Police Department, 452-3302.
To make a donation, call Lt. Mike Shaw at 868-5703, or mail monetary donations to Gulf Coast Law Enforcement Feed the Needy, Attn: Lt. Mike Shaw, 2220 15th St., Gulfport, MS 39501.
Volunteers wishing to help package and deliver meals can report to Lyman Community Center, 13472 U.S. 49, Gulfport, at 8 a.m. Christmas morning. Deliveries will begin at 9 a.m.
To add to this list, send information to mynews@sunherald.com
This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 9:03 PM with the headline "HOLIDAY HELPERS in South Mississippi ."