How to help or volunteer in Bradenton or Manatee County during the 2021 holiday season

Giuseppe Sabella
·7 min read

Note: This list of volunteer and donation opportunities will be updated through December. To submit a charitable cause for consideration, email Bradenton Herald reporter Giuseppe Sabella at gsabella@bradenton.com.

Manatee County has plenty of opportunities to help during the holidays.

Whether it be a donation of time, money, toys or everyday goods, people of all ages are in need of some holiday cheer.

Here are several ways to offer a helping hand:

Shoes for kids

The Bower Family Foundation hopes to provide 1,500 local children with a new pair of shoes during the 10th annual Xmas Shoes for Kids Fundraiser.

“The past year has been difficult for children facing the challenges of COVID-19,” the foundation said in a news release. “On top of that, each year children everywhere are wearing shoes that are worn and dirty, or shoes that no longer fit.”

Each child will get a $20 voucher to use in the shoe department at Walmart, 2911 53rd Ave. E. in Bradenton, on Dec. 18.

Monetary donations can be mailed to the Bower Foundation at P.O. Box 20411, Bradenton, FL 34204.

Donations can also be sent to @Vince-Bower on Venmo (look for the profile picture of Bower with Mike Tyson).

And if you’re interested in receiving a voucher for shoes, send an email to vincentbower@yahoo.com.

Gifts for seniors

Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee hopes to deliver 1,000 shoe boxes — each filled with useful goodies — to local seniors throughout the holidays.

Examples of what to include in the boxes:

  • Chapstick

  • Small flashlights or nightlights

  • Hand lotion/moisturizer

  • Non breakable holiday trinkets

  • Kleenex (small pocketbook size)

  • Mechanical pencils, notepads and pens

  • Paperback word puzzles in large print

  • Shampoo

  • Socks or slipper socks

  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste (small to medium size)

The tops and bottoms of each box should be wrapped separately, and include around 10 items and decorative wrapping tissue.

The boxes should not include razors, candy, food, candles, gift cards or breakable items.

“These boxes are oftentimes the only holiday present seniors receive,” the organization says on its website. “This year it is especially important because of the isolation so many of our seniors are facing.”

The 16th annual Community Holiday Shoebox Drive and Reception event is free to anyone who brings a filled and wrapped shoe box or a $20 donation to Meals on Wheels PLUS.

The Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge, 4602 Lena Road, will host the event from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 4.

If you want to donate and skip the event, bring a wrapped and filled shoebox to Meals on Wheels PLUS, 811 23rd Ave. E. in Bradenton, before Dec. 6. The organization is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Bells and wreaths

The Bradenton Kiwanis Club is offering two community service opportunities in December.

Volunteers support the Salvation Army each year by ringing a bell and collecting donations outside of the Westgate Shopping Center Publix on Manatee Avenue. Helpers are needed for shifts on Dec. 10-11.

Volunteers are also needed to lay wreaths at Mansion Memorial Park in Ellenton on Dec. 18.

“Wreaths Across America seeks to pay honor to those veterans who are no longer with us,” the club said in a news release.

Anyone interested in volunteering can email Sharon Barhorst at sharonb.bradentonkiwanis@gmail.com.

Toy drive and Hanukkah celebration

Temple Emanu-El has partnered with University Town Center and a local day school to host Hanukkah on The Green at UTC.

Along with food, crafts and activities for all ages, the Hanukkah celebration will feature a toy drive that benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman said the goal is to collect 800 new toys.

The event is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at UTC Green, Cattlemen Road, between Michaels and Old Navy.

Gifts for the grieving

The Tidewell Foundation is seeking gifts for grieving children and families.

“While the holidays are an uplifting time for many, they can also serve as a painful reminder for children of a parent or special person they’ve lost — whether it’s their first season without them or years later,” Tidewell Foundation President Debbie Mason said in a statement.

Each season, children share their wish list and the foundation works with individuals and community groups in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties to bring those holiday wishes to life.

The gifts, according to a news release, are handed out during a holiday carnival for the grieving children and families.

To get involved, contact the Tidewell Foundation at 941-552-7546 or giving@TidewellFoundation.org.

Donors can shop for as many children and families as they wish. The foundation will provide a gift list, and donors should return the gifts unwrapped and labeled with the recipient’s name.

The gifts — or cash donations — can be delivered to two locations:

  • Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly program, 6800 Professional Parkway in Lakewood Ranch.

  • The Tidewell Family Grief Center, 4151 37th St. E. in Palmetto.

Cash donations are due by Dec. 1, and wish list items can be returned through Dec. 10.

Gifts for vulnerable children

Every year, Manatee Children’s Services holds the Holiday Project for children who are survivors of abuse or neglect, along with kids who are at risk of becoming victims.

Because of COVID-19 safety precautions, the nonprofit is asking for $50 gift cards and cash donations, allowing MCS to safely purchase gifts on the children’s wish lists.

Donors can also support the Holiday Project by shopping on the Amazon list created by Manatee Children’s Services.

To become a holiday sponsor, email holidayproject@mcsfl.com or submit the online form at www.manateechildrensservices.com/support-us.

Donors can support the project through Dec. 16. For more information, call 941-345-1200.

Help for cats and dogs

The Humane Society of Manatee County offers year-round opportunities to donate time or money.

Donors can specify how their money should be used, which might include general animal care or care provided to abused animals from local cruelty cases.

“Animal care donations directly support shelter operations and help provide care for our shelter animals which includes food, cat litter, toys, animal supplies, medications, vaccines and medical care,” the Humane Society says on its website.

Money can also be sent to:

  • The Trap-Neuter-Return Program, an effort to spay, neuter and vaccinate the county’s free-roaming cats

  • Angel Fund, an effort to provide animal care to families who are dealing with financial challenges

  • Marlie’s Fund, a program that offsets the cost of long term medications or specialized food for shelter animals.

To donate online, visit www.humanemanatee.org/donate/online-donations.

There are also chances to volunteer in cat care, dog care or fostering, among other opportunities. Volunteer applicants must be at least 18 years old, or 16 years old with parental consent.

Volunteers under the age of 16 can be accompanied by a parent or guardian during their shift.

To learn more, call 941-747-8808, extension 315, or email volunteer@humanesocietymanatee.org.

Food for the hungry

Through its food bank, Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee has provided more than 55 million pounds of food to local children, families and seniors since 1985, according to the organization’s website.

To see the most vital food needs, along with a list of drop-off donation sites, visit www.mealsonwheelsplus.org/donate/food-donation.

The organization also accepts monetary donations to support not only its food bank, but also its adult day center and friendship dining centers, “where seniors gather for nutrition, social interaction, and physical activities.”

Donations can be made online at securepayment.link/mealsonwheelsplus, or by mailing the donation to Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, 811 23rd Ave. E., Bradenton, FL 34208, with attention to “Donations.”

There are also dozens of food pantries that accept direct donations from generous residents. For a list of examples, visit the county website, mymanatee.org, navigate to the “Residents” tab and click on “Fee Assistance Programs.”

Then click the link that reads “List of food pantries in Manatee County.”

Volunteer Pinky Taylor organizes desserts for the Christmas day meal at Bradenton’s Salvation Army.
Volunteer Pinky Taylor organizes desserts for the Christmas day meal at Bradenton’s Salvation Army.
Jim Tinnin, left, handed plates full of hot food to other volunteers at the Salvation Army at the annual Christmas Day meal. Attendees were seated and served by volunteers, restaurant-style, at the free meal.
Jim Tinnin, left, handed plates full of hot food to other volunteers at the Salvation Army at the annual Christmas Day meal. Attendees were seated and served by volunteers, restaurant-style, at the free meal.