Children’s Center, a private nonprofit mental health agency for children, is looking for toy and recreation donations. The age range is preschool through teen. Everything from new and unwrapped toys and stuffed animals to books, board games, sporting equipment and art supplies are welcome. Even movie passes and gift cards. New or gently used hats and mittens will find good homes, too.
“At any given time, Children’s Center has approximately 600 children on our caseload,” said executive director Pat Beckett. “Due to the current high rate of unemployment, many of the families served at the agency will not be able to afford any gifts for their children this holiday season. Children’s Center strives to provide a gift for every child seen at the clinic, as well as all of the other children living in that household.”
That means Children’s Center typically needs more than 1,000 items, she said. Ninety-three percent of the Children’s Center clientele lives in poverty, Beckett said.
Here’s where you can drop off toy donations:
• Children’s Center, 415 W. 11th Street.
• Java House, 210 W. Evergreen Blvd.
• Kazoodles Toy Store, 575 W. 8th Street.
• Halo Design, 1923 Main Street.
West Coast Bank locations:
• Vancouver Main — 500 E. Broadway, suite 100.
• Salmon Creek — 13305 N.E. Hwy. 99, suite 6 (Burgerville parking lot).
• Orchards — 7500 N.E. 117th Ave. (Lowe’s parking lot).
• East Vancouver — 1125 S.E. 163rd Place, suite 102 (next door to Subway).
Donations will be accepted through Dec. 17.
