One of the most satisfying things my wife and I have ever done is throw in the towel on family gift-giving for Christmas. It’s not that we don’t love our families and aren’t willing to brave stores crowded with stressed shoppers. But we don’t have children and no one in our immediate family needs a darned thing.
Oh, I want a Bianchi Infinito Athena, a set of Callaway Tour Authentic X Prototype Irons and a pair of Monitor Audio PL300 speakers. But I probably don’t need any of those things, and nobody – especially my wife – is going to buy them for me. And I’m pretty sure I can continue riding, golfing and listening without them.
Instead, we make people who are genuinely in need the focus of our holiday shopping. You can do the same. Here are only a few ways.
The people at the Far Northern Regional Center, which provides numerous services to people with developmental disabilities, has a Holidays Are For Caring program that provides Christmas gifts to people who would otherwise receive none. Center directors began the program 10 years ago, explained spokeswoman Kay Cullis, because, “We found that our caseworkers who were taking care of these people were buying gifts with their own money.”
The Redding-based center accepts cash donations, with which it will purchase, wrap and deliver presents to needy clients who are referred by caseworkers. Or, if you would like to purchase gifts yourself, the center will set you up with a family that could use the assistance. To participate, contact the Far Northern Regional Center at (530) 221-9524.
Northern Valley Catholic Social Services has its own well-regarded adopt-a-family program, and a glance at the NVCSS website tells me there are many families that have yet to be adopted. The Redding-based, four-county organization accepts monetary donations, gift certificates and just about anything you have to give.
But the real drive is to get people to buy a round of presents for a family that otherwise would have a bare Christmas. The deadline is coming up.
******
• Best wishes to Shasta County Undersheriff Greg Wrigley, who is retiring in December. He will be replaced by Capt. Sheila Ashmun, a 20-year veteran of the sheriff’s office. Ashman will be the county’s first female undersheriff.
• Caltrans has launched an overhauled website for Amtrak travel in California. You can purchase Amtrak tickets, check schedules and the status of trains, get station information and learn about special deals. The website is at www.amtrakcalifornia.com. Now, if we could only convince Amtrak to stop in Redding at times other than 2:21 a.m. and 3:14 a.m.
• Just a reminder that Shasta Family YMCA’s popular “childwatch room” for children 4 and younger will be closed for remodeling from Wednesday, December 1, through Saturday, the 4th. The facility is scheduled to reopen on Monday, December 6. The Kid Zone for older children will remain open.
• The State of California’s rebate program for energy efficient appliances concludes shortly. You need to buy the refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner or other appliance by December 6, and apply for the rebate by December 31. Entire heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are also eligible. A total of $4.5 million remains from the original $39 million pool of funds. Details here: www.cash4appliances.org.
Paul Shigley is senior editor of California Planning & Development Report, a frequent contributor to Planning magazine and doesn’t intend to discourage anyone from giving him the golf clubs he deserves. He lives in Centerville. Paul Shigley may be reached at pauls.anewscafe@gmail.com.
A News Cafe, founded in Shasta County by Redding, CA journalist Doni Greenberg, is the place for people craving local Northern California news, commentary, food, arts and entertainment.
