The weather is getting chilly, and with the economic climate not heating up much for this holiday season, local support agencies are looking for a few extra donations.
Olympic Community Action Programs is asking people with the means, or just extra blankets and coats, to help make someone’s winter a little warmer.
Also, the toy drive that supplies gifts for children across Jefferson County is still accepting donations — and applications from people who would like to request a little help.
“The need is definitely up,” said Bonnie White, co-director of OlyCAP’s Community Support Services.
“We are experiencing greater demand for services than usual this year [as] the economy has put strains on a lot of area families.”
OlyCAP and toy drive organizer Denice Irish are working together this year, along with volunteers Janet Emery and Linda McKenzie, to streamline the giving with the coats, blankets and toys.
In the past, the new and gently used blankets and new coats that were donated were primarily given to people in need at OlyCAP offices and used at the winter emergency shelter at the American Legion in Port Townsend.
“A lot of people are putting a new coat on their children’s wish list through the toy drive,” White said.
“So we are focusing on the kids, trying to focus on collecting the basic needs while they remain working on the toy side.”
For children’s size coats, OlyCAP is requesting new items that haven’t previously been worn.
As far as blankets go, the program is looking for either new or “gently used” blankets that can help keep people warm.
Collection sites have been set up in Quilcene at the Quilcene Community Center and Windermere real estate offices; in Port Ludlow at the Coldwell Banker, John L. Scott and Windermere real estate offices; and in Chimacum and Port Hadlock at the Tri-Area Community Center, Jefferson County Library and OlyCAP Thrift Shoppe.
In Port Townsend, boxes are at Coldwell Banker, John L. Scott, RE/MAX First and Windermere real estate offices as well as the Port Townsend Community Center, Port Townsend Library, Peninsula Credit Union, Quimper Credit Union and at OlyCAP in the Port Townsend Business Park.
Meanwhile, the toy drive is still being done at the Children’s Administration offices at 915 Sheridan St. in Port Townsend.
Denice Irish, organizer of the toy drive, said there are close to 1,000 items being requested for children in the area for this holiday season.
“It’s really hard to tell where we are at this year,” Irish said.
“But we are still accepting donations and applications if people need help.”
Irish said if people want to get involved on either side of the drive, they need to come into the office and either fill out a form or pick up a few items from the wish lists.
“The deadline is December 11,” Irish said.
“We want to have people picking up the items starting the week of December 14, so hopefully we will have it all together by then.”
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.