Lend A Hand This Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us, which means many of us are looking for ways to spread cheer and give back. With numerous charitable organizations in and around Foster City, there’s something for everyone. Here's a round up of opportunities near Burlingame to get you started.

Second Harvest Food Bank: Organize your own holiday food drive. Register online and start planning a drive for your school, company, club or neighborhood. Food drives can last as a long as you like through Jan. 20. Food donations can also be dropped off at the San Mateo County Distribution Center at 1051 Bing St. in San Carlos Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monetary donations are also accepted online. Most needed food items include tuna, meals in a can, peanut butter, low-sugar cereal and canned fruits and vegetables.

: This organization, located at 139 Primrose Rd. in Burlingame, gives more than 30,000 bags of food each year to members of the community. Please visit the CALL Primrose website for a list of the food items they need. You can also participate in the Adopt-a-Box program, preparing holiday items and food in a box for a family participating in the Holiday Program. Email contact@callprimrose.org by Dec. 13 to join.

Operation One Warm Coat: Join in on this holiday coat drive by donating clean, gently worn coats at the 7-Eleven at 975 Rollins Rd., the San Francisco Airport Marriott at 1800 Old Bayshore Highway or Bay Alarm Company at 856 Mitten Rd. The drive benefits Shelter Network and the Shelter for Women’s Recovery locally.

: The library is always looking for volunteers. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. Email Pelman@plsinfo.org for more information. Additionally, the Library Foundation accepts donations to maintain library materials, services and programs. Book and media donations are also accepted.

Samaritan House: Samaritan House has a wide range of volunteering opportunities available, from helping set up the Holiday Toy Shoppe to staffing the Holiday Giving Tree. Visit their website to find a complete list of opportunities.

: Donate a holiday basket or shop for gifts for an individual or family. The non-profit encourages that baskets be at least $40 dollars in value, and filled with all the holiday dinner items needed to serve a family in need, while Shelter Network recommends $30 per gift. You can also host a gift drive or plan a holiday party at a shelter. Visit the Shelter Network website to sign up.

Central County Fire Department Toy Drive: The CCFD is hosting its annual toy drive collecting throughout Burlingame and Hillsborough. for more information and drop-off locations.

: This local organization provides shoes and clothing to homeless and low-income students in the area. Host a shoe or clothing drive, sew gift bags or volunteer in a warehouse. You can also make a monetary donation to the organization. Donations in honor of a family member of friend also make great gifts.

Teddy Bear Drive: The Starbucks locations in Burlingame Plaza (1865 El Camino Real) and Millbrae Square (513 Broadway) are collecting teddy bears for children in the emergency room of the Mills-Peninsula Medical Center. Teddy bears should be 12 to 20 inches and will be collected through Dec. 24.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation: Collect loose change at work, at school, with family at home or even with friends during the holiday season to help find a cure for kids with cancer. Register online and the foundation will send collection cups and instructions for donations.

Related Topics: Holiday Guide 2011 and Volunteer Where is your favorite place to volunteer? Do you know of a great organization that could use some help or donations?