Helping others during the holidays, continued II

There are many nonprofits and charitable organizations in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County that provide care and support for those in need every day of the year.

As we approach the holidays, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time,” as Charles Dickens said in his classic 1843 novella, “A Christmas Carol.”

In this series, which will continue through mid-December, the Bulletin will provide current information on nearly 30 local organizations that could use your support – money, other donations and volunteer time – this holiday season.

And remember, every dollar and every hour you donate makes a difference.

• Tutti Bambini Children’s Store nonprofit (opened 2013) sells gently used children’s clothing, toys and more. Proceeds benefit local and border-area outreach programs for children challenged by poverty and special needs. Donations of items to sell and cash donations are welcome; especially needed are children’s clothes, sizes 2T-8, all sizes of coats, heavy jackets, pajamas, clothes for ages nine months and older, Christmas toys. Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. 300 El Molino Blvd., (near the intersection of Alameda and Main). Contact Sister Beth at 575-640-1997 or daddiosister@yahoo.com, Jeanne at 575-556-9752. Visit www.meetlascruces.com/Tutti-Bambini-in-Las-Cruces.html, Facebook @tuttibambinilc.
• CARE (Cancer Aid Resource & Education, Inc.) helps recently diagnosed, eligible Doña Ana County cancer patients in treatment with financial assistance for non-medical needs so they can focus on treatment, recovery and survival: gas cards to get to treatment, food and nutritional supplement cards, rent and mortgage payments, self-pay health insurance, utilities, phone and out-of-county medical travel expenses. CARE’s greatest need is monetary donations. Mail to CARE, 118 S. Water St., Las Cruces, N.M.  88001. Contact Yoli Diaz, 575-649-0598, caresupportprogram@carelascruces.org. Visit carelascruces.org.
• Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico connects donors to needs and supports a variety of nonprofits throughout southern New Mexico. While helping feed the hungry, support the arts, expand literacy, improve health through 315 endowments serving 10 southern New Mexico counties. Contact Terra Winter at 575-521-4794, terra@cfsnm.org. Donate online at www.cfsnm.org. Mail checks to 2640 El Paseo Road, Las Cruces, N.M. 88001, which is CFSNM’s new home beginning in 2022.
• Third annual Foster a Senior Program hopes to provide 50 care packages ($30 each) to seniors at a Las Cruces facility. Mail donations of any amount to Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter, P.O. Box 21400, Albuquerque, N.M. 87154. Donate these items for care packages: puzzles, toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, lotion, fuzzy socks, adult coloring books/colored pencils, tissues. Deadline: Tuesday, Dec. 14. Contact Pam Rodgers, 575-647-3688, parodgers@alz.org, to drop off donations or have them picked up.
• Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico began in 1964 and serves Doña Ana and four other southwest New Mexico counties, providing services to help families facing adversities, including Coats for Kids, youth entrepreneurship (Kids Can), child nutrition programs, free tax preparation, small business development. Contact Mark Hohnstreiter, 575-527-8799, markh@caasnm.org. Mail donations to CAASNM, 3880 Foothills Road, Suite A, Las Cruces, N.M. 88011. Donate online at www.caasnm.org.
• N.M. Children Youth and Families Department Protective Services in Doña Ana County needs donations of new clothing, shoes, gift cards, nonperishable foods. Take donations to 2805 N. Roadrunner Parkway. Contact Alicia Antes at Alicia.antes@cyfd.nm.gov. CYFD administers state child welfare services to protect children from abuse and neglect by a parent, guardian or custodian and to provide for the well-being and securing permanency of the children in its care.
• Turning Point of Las Cruces needs diapers (sizes newborn and 5/6, especially size 6), pullups size 2T, wipes, new and gently used baby clothes, especially warm winter clothes, sizes infant-2T. Take donations to 3201 S. Main St., suite C, Las Cruces, N.M. 88005 (call first, 575-522-8378, if possible). Open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Monetary donations welcome at https://pregnancylascruces.com/donate. See the Turning Point wish list at www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/76CD3J32FZN6?ref_=wl_share. Turning Point, a nonprofit, is a program for women who are pregnant and/or have new babies, offering free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. Through its Earn While You Learn education program, participants earn points they can redeem for diapers, wipes and baby clothes as they learn to care for themselves and their children. Turning Point celebrated its 12^th anniversary in 2022.