Food and donations needed: Ways to help in your community
Waypoint Rapid Response appeal: urgent need for survival gear for youth
ROCHESTER — With bitter cold in the New Hampshire weather forecast, and limited capacity to shelter youth experiencing homelessness, Waypoint is putting out this urgent request to the community for donations of survival gear including the following: sleeping bags, winter jackets, tents, hand and foot warmers, gloves, hats, and blankets.
Donations may be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., this Thursday and Friday, at the Youth Resource Center on 3 Wallace St., in Rochester.
Waypoint made over 1,500 contacts with youth experiencing homelessness in New Hampshire last year and has seen and influx of young people since the opening of the agency’s new overnight emergency shelter and youth resource centers last fall. The agency’s 14-bed shelter cannot accommodate the current and growing need. Staff report that most of the young people they see feel that they have no options for returning home or accessing shelter where they feel safe. For further information, visit www.waypointnh.org or call 1-800-640-6486.
Penguin Plunge volunteers needed
HAMPTON — Special Olympics New Hampshire is “back to the beach” for the first time since 2020 with the signature Penguin Plunge fundraising events. Saturday, Feb. 11 brings the 15th Annual High School Plunge to Hampton and Sunday marks the 24th consecutive year for the original Special Olympics New Hampshire Penguin Plunge.
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for those not plunging or donating. It takes hundreds of volunteers to keep the weekend running smoothly. Volunteer positions for as few as three hours are available all the way up to volunteer jobs for three days. Volunteer opportunities include support positions both indoors and on the beach. Join Us for the Fun! Visit 2023plungeweekend.my-trs.com to sign up to help and review the various opportunities available. Volunteer Coordinator Pam Anctil can answer any questions at Pamplus3@hotmail.com.
Seeking cookie bakers
PORTSMOUTH — Alliance for Greater Good is seeking cookie bakers for Random Acts of Kindness Day. Since kindness is at the heart of the Alliance, we plan to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day with Cookies for First Responders. They are seeking volunteers to bake one dozen cookies, sort and/or deliver cookies to first responders located in the greater Portsmouth area on Feb. 16. Most volunteer activities start at 1 p.m. Registration is required. To register go to allianceforgreatergood.org.
Michael's Treasure 603 Foundation dinner dance
ROCHESTER — Michael's Treasure 603 Foundation is a new 501(c)(3) charity with a mission to help people rise above their current conditions, recognize their dignity, and equip them to shape a better community. The charity is totally operated by volunteers who want to help shape that better community. To do that, we are looking to build up resources through various events as well as tax deductible monetary donations.
Their first dinner dance will be on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church at 189 North Main St., in Rochester. DJ Tom Pomeroy will provide the music, a three-course meal will be served at 5:45 p.m. and dancing will follow. Tickets are $25 each or $180 for a table of eight.
Their Labor Day 5k/10k Race to Serve Run/Walk, Dinner Dances and other events will be scheduled throughout the year.
Go directly to their website at www.michaelstreasure603.org to learn more, to buy tickets for the dance, and to stay connected. Like them at Race to Serve and Michael's Treasure 603 Facebook pages.
Sneaker donations wanted
HAMPTON — Hampton United Methodist Church, 525 Lafayette Road, Hampton, is collecting gently worn, used or new sneakers. The sneakers that we collect will help raise money to support our outreach and mission projects as well as helping our environment by keeping sneakers out of landfills. Sneakers can be dropped off at the church office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you would like more information, go to hamptonnhumc.org, call the church office at 603-926-2702 or email hamptonumc@myfairpoint.net.
Cat Tales is seeking donations
SEABROOK — Get to know Cat Tales Rescue is a local 501©3 nonprofit, dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of homeless felines. This past year, Cat Tales has rescued more than 900 cats, and over 1,000 were adopted in 2021. Cat Tales experienced a very busy kitten season in 2022. Just as they were hoping it was winding down, a large intake of even more youngsters occurred recently.
Currently, donations are needed to get the next 24 kittens fixed. Please visit: https://www.venmo.com/u/Cat-Tales-1 or, go to the website, www.cattalesnh.org. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. All animals deserve a safe and caring home. Cat Tales is working to achieve that reality.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Food and donations needed: Ways to help in your community
