South Shore organizations are collecting donations for those in need. Here's how to help

The season of giving is here and many organizations and groups across the South Shore are doing their part. But they can't do it without you. Donations of toys, money and other gifts spread holiday cheer to those in need.

So, if you're feeling generous, here are some of the ways you can give on the South Shore this year.

Interfaith Social Services

Quincy-based Interfaith Social Services is organizing its annual Help for the Holidays event in which South Shore residents can adopt families that are clients of the organization's pantry.

• Items needed: The agency will contact you about specific requests after pairing you with a family

• When: After filling out the paperwork, you should hear from the agency by Dec. 4 and gifts should be delivered by Dec. 11

• Where: All gifts should be delivered to the offices of the organization at 105 Adams St., Quincy

• For more information: https://interfaithsocialservices.org/help-for-the-holidays/

Weymouth Youth and Family Services

Weymouth Youth and Family Services is hosting its holiday program supporting Weymouth residents in need. Gifts will be delivered on Dec. 16 to people who applied for help.

To donate gifts or to adopt a family for gift-giving, call 781-331-1719.

Abington Office of Veterans

The Abington Office of Veterans in conjunction with other local organizations is holding its giving tree event supporting local veterans. Residents can drop off their gifts at a box near the tree inside Abington Town Hall.

• Items needed: Items listed on its Amazon wish list or from tags hanging from the giving tree

• When: No later than Monday, Dec. 11

• Where: Abington Town Hall, 500 Gliniewicz Way, Abington

Hanover Council on Aging

The Hanover Council on Aging is holding its annual giving tree and has an Amazon wish list where people can buy items from the registry. Residents can also visit the council and choose items from the giving tree to buy, or donate gift cards. Last year, more than 35 seniors were given gift bags thanks to people's generosity.

• Items needed: Gift cards, items listed on the council's Amazon list and more

• When: No later than Friday, Dec. 15

• Where: Hanover Council on Aging, 665 Center St., Hanover

Campbell Christmas Angels

Hosted at Barrett’s Haunted Mansion in Abington, this toy drive hosted by the Campbell Christmas Angels is accepting donations for new, unwrapped toys for local children. The drive will end with an event at the mansion Dec. 17.

• Items needed: Barbies, dolls, superheroes, Hot Wheels racetracks, Lego sets and more

• When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17

• Where: Barrett’s Haunted Mansion, 1235 Bedford St., Abington

Braintree Police Officers Association

The association is looking for donations for its toy drive. According to a Facebook post, if people cannot make it to the drive-thru collection Dec. 2, they can drop off donations at the Braintree police station until Dec. 7. All the donated toys will go to the Marge Crispin Center.

• Items needed: New, unwrapped toys

• When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2

• Where: Braintree Town Hall, 1 JFK Memorial Drive, Braintree

Whitman Police Department

The Whitman Area Toy Drive and the Whitman Police Department will hold their eighth annual toy drive Dec. 2. People can drop off gifts and meet Santa.

• Items needed: Gifts for older tweens, gift cards and more

• When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2

• Where: Whitman police station, 20 Essex St., Whitman

Scituate Community Christmas

For more than three decades, the Big Give hosted by Scituate Community Christmas has been accepting donations for its annual drive. People can drop off new, unwrapped items at the Christmas Cottage at the Susan Phippen House.

• Items needed: Barbies, Beats headphones, Lego sets, superhero toys, Boston sports items, gift cards and more

• When: After Nov. 1

• Where: Susan Phippen House, 125 Mann Lot Road, Scituate

• For more information: https://scituatecommunitychristmas.org/big-give

YMCA’s Hope for the Holidays

YMCA locations in Quincy and Hanover are accepting gifts for underprivileged residents. People can pick ornaments from YMCA giving trees across the South Shore and buy the gift written on the ornament, or they can donate gift cards for families.

• Items needed: Gift cards, gaming cards, food gift cards, specific gifts designated by ornaments on YMCA giving trees

• When: Before Dec. 12

• Where: YMCAs in Quincy and Hanover

• For more information: https://ssymca.org/give/holiday-assistance/

Duxbury Interfaith Council

The Duxbury Interfaith Council's holiday gift card drive is accepting donations for people in need. Last year, 135 families in the area benefited.

• Items needed: Money for gift cards, or gift cards for Amazon, Target, Kohl's, etc.

• When: After Nov. 15

• How and where: People wishing to help can visit the link below to sign up to donate gift cards. The donations are accepted through Venmo or can be dropped off in person.

• For more information: tinyurl.com/duxburyinterfaith

Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore

The Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore, of Weymouth, is holding its annual Christmas fundraiser. Residents can sign up to adopt a local family or a teen who needs help during the holidays. To volunteer, email fhsschristmasshoppe@gmail.com or call 781-901-2256.

Friends of Norwell

The Norwell Food Pantry is hosting its annual Holiday Adopt-A-Family program to help families in need. Sponsors receive a wish list of toys and clothing. For more information: friendsofnorwell.org/holiday-adopt-a-family.

Pembroke Community Group

The Pembroke Community Group is accepting applications from families with children and the elderly who need help this holiday season. Email pembrokecommunitygroup@gmail.com to ask questions and to receive a confidential application.

The Patriot Ledger's Lend a Hand holiday fundraising campaign

The Patriot Ledger has launched its 26th annual Lend a Hand holiday fundraising campaign. It supports South Shore people in need through the South Shore Community Action Council, Quincy Community Action Programs Inc. and Aspire Health Alliance.

• Items needed: Only monetary donations are accepted

• Where: Donations are accepted online through PayPal, or by using the coupon inside the newspaper and mailing it, or by calling Ansaphone at 617-424-9825 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

• For more information: tinyurl.com/lendahand2023Did we miss an event you think we should know about? Contact Fernando Cervantes Jr. at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Holiday toy and gift drives across the South Shore. How you can help