November 10, 2008

Giving from the heart

Holiday Gifts for Teens for often forgotten segment of society

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Editor

With the holidays less than two months away, Holiday Gifts for Teens volunteers are busy collecting donations for an often forgotten segment of the low income population.

SHCC Holiday Program Director Marizela Maciel and Gifts for Teen Director Elaine Benoit celebrate the completion of boys’ gym bags last year. Photos courtesy of Gifts for Teens

“Gifts for Teens is very rewarding,” said Campbell resident Edie Kerr. “We collect donations and fill the bags with items teenage boys and girls would like. It really gives you a warm feeling helping someone who is less fortunate. And it is really fun working with the women and seeing what you’ve completed.”

Kerr’s specialty is gathering and packaging jewelry for the bags that are packed with items teenagers would like. Campbell’s Maggie Benson became involved with Gifts for Teens when she moved from Rhode Island two years ago.

“Gifts for Teens is a wonderful experience,” said Benson, who is looking forward to the week long project of sorting and packing the items at Sacred Heart Community Service [SHCS]. “This project is so worthwhile and donations are key.”

Almaden’s Norma Faulkner is doing the same collecting makeup, nail polish stuffed animals, photo albums, and cosmetic bags for the teen girls’ bags.

“There’s a group of women who knits scarves and another who made 100 bead bracelets,” said Faulkner. “It’s very satisfying project to work on. The teens are often forgotten.”

After the donated items are received or purchased they are assembled at SHCS by the community and the sponsoring organization, the American Association of University Women [AAUW]-San Jose Branch volunteers. SHCS’s teen clients, as well as the Bill Wilson Center and EHC Lifebuilders are recipients of Gifts for Teens.

“We often get toys for younger children and the teenagers are left out,” said SHCS Development Associate Kimberly Abate. “If Holiday Gifts for Teens didn’t exist, many of our teenage clients wouldn’t receive anything for the holidays.”

And even with economic woes, the Gifts for Teens volunteers have set a goal of 1,400 gift bags for low income teens, 100 more than last year. Holiday Gifts for Teens depends on donations from individuals and companies. The only stipulation is that all items must be new. The teenagers are used to second hand items. Gifts for Teens will accept logo T-shirts, jackets, ball caps, Frisbees, pens and the like are welcome from companies. But the volunteers are equally excited when a donor sends in a five dollar check or donates a new lipstick or shampoo as it all helps. Many businesses like Cisco offer matching gift programs if employees donate. And cash is gold where volunteers can purchase items in quantity at wholesale prices.

Last year’s Gifts for Teens girls’ totes that were distributed to low income teenagers.

Since 1997, AAUW together with community volunteers has created Holiday Gifts for Teens—a segment of the population living below the poverty line often forgotten. Most groups collect toys and gifts for younger children and adults with teenagers left out. AAUW saw a need and filled it under director Elaine Benoit.

“Disadvantaged teenagers, some of whom are homeless, are excited to open the Holiday Gifts for Teens bags and totes,” said Gifts for Teens director Elaine Benoit. “The festive bags contain many fun and practical small gifts hidden inside.  What the teens don’t see is the excitement and enthusiasm of the volunteers who answer the challenge of gathering and assembling these brimming full gift bags. Many women in the community gather teen gifts to creatively fill girl and boys’ totes. These women generously donate their time and funds, truly giving from the heart!”

Time is short for the Holiday Gifts for Teens project. They need donations of sports items, gift certificates, jewelry, calculators, grooming products, clothing, radios, back packs and other teen appreciated gifts to fill their goal of 1,400 bags and totes to brighten the holiday season for needy teenagers.

“Gifts for Teens continues to grow each year, with 1,400 bags, 750 totes for the girls and 550 boys’ gym bags as the goal in 2008,” said Benoit. “Gifts for Teens thanks the community, individuals and businesses, for donating and helping with this worthwhile project.”

To donate or volunteer for Gifts for Teens contact project coordinator Elaine Benoit at ebenoit@pacbell.net or call (408) 268-9654.