November 1, 2006

Help the ‘Colors of Autumn’ donation drive for children

The Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Los Gatos, 15885 Los Gatos-Almaden Road, will hold the "Colors of Autumn," a donation drive for the Santa Clara County Children's Shelter (on Union Avenue) on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event is designed to allow communities close to the shelter the opportunity to gather together to help the abused and neglected children who temporarily reside there. While the event is in Los Gatos, the shelter is in San Jose, which is close to several area communities, and the beneficiaries are children who reside throughout Santa Clara County.

The community can donate new pajamas, backpacks, school supplies, art supplies, stuffed animals, personal CD players, activity books, children's DVDs and other child friendly items for the children at the shelter.

While the church needs your help, they want to show their thanks to those dropping off their donations. Those able to stay can enjoy an autumn festival with pony rides, a quilt auction, a cake walk, a petting zoo, Bingo, scarecrow building, a jump house, fall activities, crafts and free BBQ.

"The Santa Clara County Social Children's Shelter will be the sole beneficiary in the First Annual ‘Colors of Autumn,’ a donation drive that will benefit the children temporarily residing at the Children's Shelter. Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Los Gatos is very community minded and supports a wide variety of organizations with year round fundraising to help educate the community on those in need,” said Belinda Quesada-Ramsey communications specialist at the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency.

“The Children's Shelter provides counseling, health care check ups, education and art programs and much more to aid the abused and neglected children who are our temporary residents. In 2005, the shelter had 1,282 children pass through their doors. There is a constant need for new clothing, pajamas (all sizes), school supplies, art supplies, backpacks, personal CD players and children's DVD's. All items that are child-friendly are welcome and appreciated."

For more information, contact Tristin Yeager, outreach coordinator for the church, at (408) 356-3525, ext. 230 or e-mail wtraldy-holycross@yahoo.com.