Cover Story: Charities

12 Days of Christmas in 12 Hours Prizes and gifts will be given away each hour during this 12-hour Toys for Tots toy drive. Sat., Dec. 11, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Gwinnett Place Mall, 2100 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth.

Captain Planet Foundation X-mas Party Captain Planet Foundation celebrates it’s 10th annual Christmas party, “Peace, Love, One World.” Jane Fonda, Ted Turner, and Jerry Hoban are special guests attend. Benefiting environmentalist organization Captain Planet Foundation, Atlanta Children’s Shelter, and other organizations. For info and tickets, visit www.xmasparty.org. Fri., Dec. 3, 6:45 p.m. $100-500. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. 404-659-9022.

Celebrate the Arts! Year-end fundraiser honors Callanwolde’s instructors, students and sponsors. Includes food and drinks, silent auction and live music. Benefiting ongoing arts programming at Callanwolde. Mon., Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. $15-$30. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road. 404-872-5338.

Children’s Wish Foundation Sean Patrick’s Bar and Grill hosts a Grand Opening celebration complete with the Budweiser Clydesdales. Proceeds from the event benefit the Children’s Wish Foundation. For info, 770-650-5723. Sat., Dec. 4, 1-4 p.m. Sean Patrick’s Bar & Grill, 8610 Roswell Road.

Dreidel Drop Collection Drive The MJCCA is collecting new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages to be donated to local families in need during the holidays. Mon.-Sun. Continues through Dec. 15. Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. 770-395-2540.

Empty Stocking Fund Atlanta-based charity in its 76th year buys toys and educational items for children in need. Needs both monetary donations and volunteers for shopping-style dispensation of items. For info, www.emptystockingfund.org. 404-876-8697.

Every Burden Shall be Rolled Away Seasonal Celebration of story and song benefits the Thomas Hauk Memorial Scholarship fund. Sun., Nov. 28, 4 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Oakhurst Baptist Church, 222 East Lake Drive, Decatur.

Food & Clothing Drive Epic Residential Communities hosts a food and clothing drive at Epic Brookside, Epic Gardens, Epic Lindmont and Epic Carroll Court. Benefits a variety of local charities. Mon.-Sun. Continues through Nov. 30. Epic Lindmont, 639 Lindbergh Drive. 404-237-2978.

Food and Clothing Drive St Michael, a parish of the Catholic Church in America seeks volunteers to collect canned and boxed non-perishable foods and new men’s clothes for their street ministry. St. Michael the Defender Catholic Church, 1071 Delaware Ave. 770-241-7606.

Harvest Holidays Donate canned or bagged food for domestic animals to Atlanta Humane Society and receive a discount on general Zoo admission of new family memberships. Mon.-Sun., 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Continues through Dec. 31. Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave. 404-624-5600.

Holiday Angels Joy Drive Customers can donate unwrapped books and toys at Starbucks across Atlanta to benefit seriously ill children served by the Starlight Starbright network. Mon.-Sun. Continues through Dec. 25. Starbucks Buckhead, 3330 Piedmont Rd.

Holly Jolly Breakfast The Junior League of Atlanta presents this holiday-themed breakfast featuring Santa and his friends. Benefits the community partners of the Junior League of Atlanta. Sat., Dec. 11, 8 a.m.,9 a.m. & 10 a.m. $25. Hard Rock Cafe, 215 Peachtree St. 404-688-7625.

Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless The Atlanta Braves Foundation partners with HFTH offering two food bins at Turner Field to collect non-perishables. 404-755-3353.

Imperial Fez Benefit Imperial Fez hosts a dinner to benefit the Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless Fund. Reservations required by Dec. 9. Thu., Dec. 16. $45. Imperial Fez, 2285 Peachtree St., Suite 102. 404-351-0870.

Jingle Jog 5k race benefiting the Salvation Army Toy Drive. Festivities include Jr. Jingle Jog, Santa party, extensive children’s area and more. For info and registration, www.jinglejog.com. Sat., Dec. 11. Costco, 6350 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. 770-888-9481.

Just Ask Restoring Hope Outreach sponsors an annual new coat drive for Hosea Feed the Hungry at the Atlanta Civic Center. For more info call, 404-454-7244. Nov. 23-28.

Minding Art Art auction benefiting KSU’s Philosophy Student Association. Features live music and art from KSU students and faculty. For info, mindingart@yahoo.com. Sat., Nov. 27, 8 p.m. Five Spot, 1123 Euclid Ave. 770-499-3272.

Recycling Fundraiser Donate empty printer ink cartridges to benefit underprivileged Sandy Springs area youth. Mon.-Sun. Continues through Dec. 31. Sandy Springs United Methodist Church, 86 Mt. Vernon Circle. 404-252-0420.

Secret Santa Program American Freedom Mortgage collects donations of new, unwrapped toys for foster children in the greater Atlanta area. American Freedom Mortgage, 2211 New Market Parkway, Marietta. 770-916-1234.

Shai Lev Gifts from the Heart Collection Drive The MJCCA’s Center for Community Service is looking for gifts of blankets for babies and children in need. Mon.-Sun. Continues through Jan. 30. Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. 770-395-2654.

Nutcracker & Teddy Bear Brunches Georgian Terrace offers brunches with Santa while collecting teddy bears for patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Sundays, 12-2 p.m. Continues through Dec. 19. The Georgian Terrace Hotel, 659 Peachtree St. 404-898-8350.

Tans for Cans Solar Dimensions and Solarium tanning salon is accepting canned goods for donation to the Atlanta Food Bank. Discounts offered with donation of eight or more cans. For info, 770-953-0555 or www.solardimensions.com. Nov. 18-Dec. 26. Solar Dimensions and Solarium, 2430 Cobb Parkway, Smyrna. 770-953-0555.

Teddy Bear Patrol Visit each mall’s Simon Marketplace to donate a new or slightly used teddy bear. The campaign’s goal is to gather enough bears for every police car, fire engine, ambulance, and emergency room. Also at Lenox Mall (404-233-6767), Gwinnet Place Mall (770-476-5160), Phipps Plaza (404-262-0992), Mall of Georgia (678-482-8788), and Town Center at Cobb (770-424-9486). Nov. 18-30. Northlake Mall, 4800 Briarcliff Road. 770-938-3564.

Third Annual Wine Tasting Benefits Theatrical Outfit. Event takes place downtown in the rotunda of the historic Healey Building. For info, 404-577-5257, www.theatricaloutfit.org. Wed., Dec. 1. $50-$80.

Toys For Tots Atlanta Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps Reserve and Santa gear up for another season providing needy area children with new toys. Dropoff locations throughout the metro area. 404-841-7022.

Tree of Giving Choose nametags and buy gifts for neglected and abused children through Court Appointed Special Advocates of Hall and Dawson County. Mon.-Sun. Continues through Dec. 24. North Georgia Premium Outlets, 800 Highway 400 South, Dawsonville. 706-216-3609.

UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball Black-tie gala to benefit the United Negro College Fund. Awards presented for outstanding community contributions. Musical entertainment by the Four Tops. Sat., Dec. 18, 8 p.m. $350-$5--. Marriott Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Avenue, NE.

Wine Tasting Fundraiser The HAGAR Resource Program holds its 1st annual wine tasting event to raise money for working parents not receiving child support. Sat., Dec. 4, 7 p.m. $30. Vinocity, 36 13th St. 404-870-8886.

?Volunteers
Atlanta Children’s ShelterOrganization provides child development and support to homeless families striving to become self-sufficient. Needs up to 20 volunteers to prepare and assist with “Holiday House,” a place where parents choose holidady gifts for their children. Dec. 13-16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Dec. 17-18, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 607 Peachtree St. 404-892-3713.

Café 458/Samaritan House Supports homeless men and women in efforts to achieve self-sufficiency. Needs five volunteers daily to cook and serve lunch to homeless individuals and to assist visitors to its clothing closet. Mon.-Fri, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 458 Edgewood Ave. 404-523-1239.

Children’s Restoration Network Organization providing assistance and support to homeless children requires 500 volunteers to assist with gift wrap and personalizing gifts for children during the organization’s 12 Days of Caring Gift Wrapping Party. Various shifts available. Dec. 17-23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mount Pigsah Christian School, Alpharetta. 770-649-7117. www.childrn.org.

Cobb Christmas Basket Distribution Volunteers are needed for food basket distribution for qualified recipients. Dec. 17; Dec. 18; Dec. 19. Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Rd., Marietta. 770-655-3453.

Devereux Georgia Treatment Network Organization empowering mentally challenged youth and their families seeks volunteers to decorate the campus for the holidays. 1291 Stanley Road, Kennesaw. 770-427-0147.

Families First Seeks up to 30 volunteers to help plan and host Capitol Area Mosaic’s annual holiday program. CAM aims to strengthen and preserve families by providing after-school and Saturday academic and recreational activities for low-income youth. Register in advance. Dec. 11, 2-4 p.m. 341 Kelly St. 404-541-2996. www.handsonatlanta.org.

Families First Adopt-A-Family Seeks 10 volunteers to assist with donation collection and distribution. Dec. 6-10, 13-17, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 1105 West Peachtree St. 404-853-2857.

Girl Scout Council of Northwest Georgia Tenn volunteers are needed to assist girl with holiday crafts and service projects at the Festival of Trees. Dec. 6, 4-9 p.m. Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Exhibit Hall A-1. 678-420-6846.

Hands on AtlantaAtlanta’s umbrella service organization offers a variety of holiday-timed volunteer activities. For info, 404-979-2800 or www.handsonatlanta.org.

Holiday Meals on Wheels Provided by Senior Services North Fulton. Needs volunteers to purchase and distribute meals and holiday gifts to seniors in Roswell, Alpharetta and Sandy Springs. Nov. 25-26, Dec. 23-24 and Dec. 31. 490 Sun Valley Drive, Suite 202, Roswell. 770-993-1906.

Hosea Feed the Hungry Volunteers and donations needed for events throughout the year including Thanksgiving, Christmas and MLK birthday holiday. 404-755-3353.

Mission on the Move Organization enhances the lives of families through training and community resources. Needs 6 volunteers to help distribute toys, food and clothing at its Winter Wonderland. Dec. 11 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 211 Memorial Drive. 770-920-4796.

Soccer in the Streets Program teaches less-advantaged youth to make positive choices in life to better themselves, their families and their communities through soccer. Seeks 15 volunteers to assist with various event logistics including set-up, child-supervision and mini-soccer tournament. Dec. 18, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thomasville Recreation Center, 1835 Henry Thomas Drive. 678-993-2113.

Save Kids of Incarcerated Parents Provides supportive services to children of incarcerated parents and their families. Requires 15 volunteers to host a holiday party and awards ceremony for children and their families. Dec. 11, 6-9 p.m. 950 South Peachtree St., Suite 102, Norcross. 404-784-4798.

Trees AtlantaNon-profit citizens group dedicated to protecting and improving an urban environment by planting and conserving trees. Needs five volunteers to bundle holiday tree greeting cards for distribution. Dec. 11 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 96 Poplar St. 770-920-4796.