VOLUNTEER: Assemble care packages for foster children during a monthly meet-up at the Foster Kids Charity headquarters.

ATTEND: The nonprofit’s annual Gift of Love holiday party is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 20 at Grace Church in Richardson. The event provides presents and entertainment to 166 local foster children, who don’t receive gifts every year.

GIVE: One dollar provides a healthy snack bag for one foster child through the organization’s new Food 4 Foster program, serving 500-1,000 abused and neglected children who are in the care of Child Protective Services each month.

The ongoing wish list includes snack foods and juice boxes,

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

SERVES: Through its immigration and legal services program, families and individuals pursuing American citizenship (Catholic Charities offers multiple other programs for local women, children, men and families in need.)

The Immigration and Legal Services (ILS) of Catholic Charities of Dallas was established in 1975 in response to the growing number of immigrants moving to our area. Caseworkers help clients understand the immigra- tion law and their rights. Services include assistance with family visas, representation of survivors of domestic violence and violent crimes, support for refugees and asylees and for custodians of unaccompanied children, to name a few.

VOLUNTEER: Register online for the next available orientation session. Internships also are available.

GIVE: The refugee resettlement program is in need of size 4-6 diapers, wipes, new coats and jackets for ages 7-15, new car seats, and toiletries for teens — all of which can be dropped off at the Foster Kids Charity headquarters.

CONTACT:

Michelle Armour

9221 LBJ Freeway, Suite 110 469.248.2786 fosterkidscharity.org donations of new and gently used household items and furniture. Donation of paper towels, can openers, pots and pans, glasses, mugs and other housewares will directly assist in the setup of apartments for refugees arriving in Dallas.

CONTACTS:

Eileen O’Malley, volunteer coordinator, eomalley@ccdallas.org

9461 LBJ Freeway, Suite 100

KIDS-U

SERVES: Lake Highlands children through after-school programs at apartment complexes

Founded in 2002, the nonprofit was formed in an effort “to combat one of the most profound problems in Dallas: children not completing their education,” spokesman Brandon Baker says. He points to a study (“Today’s Children, Tomorrow’s Communities”, 2006) that shows that more than 100,000 students ages 5-13 in Dallas County are unsupervised during after-school hours. “We believe these are the most critical hours for the student,” Baker says. Kids-U tries to ensure that students have a snack, do homework and play each weekday afternoon. With supervision, they avoid risks such as substance abuse and criminal or sexual behaviors, Baker says.

GIVE: Give Christmas gifts to Kids-U students through the Adopt an Angel program. See wish lists and register on the website.

CONTACTS:

Brandon Baker, brandon@kids-u.org

9090 Skillman, Suite 140-B 214.503.3672 kids-u.org