Oak Mountain Missions Greystone volunteers
Berry Middle School and Greystone Elementary students recently stocked shelves at Oak Mountain Missions. Berry Middle and Greystone Elementary students Mary Bradley Williams, Ben Mattox, Lauren Solomons, Matthew and Michael Robbins, Samantha Gagliano, Bree Solomons, Kaitlyn Lopes and Katie Mattox.
With the inherently hectic nature of the holiday season, it’s easy to forget that many Shelby County residents don’t have access to the resources they need. You can make an impact in your community this Christmas by giving to the local organizations listed here, or the many others that provide tireless support in the county.
Don’t be afraid to offer a helping hand, either. Volunteering in Shelby County through a local nonprofit this season can make a tremendous impact.
Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging
15863 Highway 25, Calera
670-5770
The Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging (M4A) has a mission to assist senior citizens and those with disabilities. In coordination with the Alabama Department of Senior Services, it provides among others transportation and nutrition services to seniors in Shelby County, as well as four other area counties.
This year, the organization is asking for donations toward its Hearts for the Hungry program, which feeds area shut-ins, and donations to pay for expenses that aren’t covered by the state, including dental and eye health and bill assistance.
“We aren’t a nonprofit, so people don’t receive a tax deduction for donations unless they’re designated for meals,” said Debbi Battles, M4A director of operations and programs. “And you can specify a county or even a person when giving those gifts.”
Gifts to assist with expenses can be made to the United Way and designated for the Shelby County Senior Support Fund. In addition, warm weather items will be collected following the Christmas season. M4A will take donations of hats, gloves, blankets and electric space heaters.
Shelby Emergency Assistance
620 Valley Street, Montevallo
665-1942
Shelby Emergency Assistance (SEA) provides aid to those in Shelby County who endured a recent crisis and need short-term assistance with food, utility bills, housing, medical/dental needs and money management.
“With those who can no longer meet the basic needs of themselves and their families, we help them get back on their feet and return to their previous positions of self sufficiency,” SEA Director Karen Pendleton said.
This holiday season, the organization has an increased need for donated food items and funding to purchase food. It also readily accepts donations, as these can be used in special circumstances.
“Sometimes you have weird things that happen,” Pendleton said. “We recently helped a woman whose front windshield was knocked out. These are things you don’t typically have a line item for, but sometimes special donations come in. In this case, those donations allowed us to get her windshield repaired so she could get back to work and keep taking care of her family.”
Prenatal and parenting education is also available for teen parents through SEA.
Family Connection’s Residential Youth Center
2 Walker Run, Alabaster
664-CARE
Family Connection’s Residential Youth Center provides emergency shelter for runaways, homeless youth and youth in crisis. The center also provides individual, group and family counseling.
“We’re a multi-service organization with five major programs, but our biggest is the residential youth center,” Executive Director Susan Johnston said. “The center serves runaways and children in the midst of family crisis. Kids can walk through the doors 24 hours a day and stay with us, and our goal is family reunification.”
This season, basic necessities are on Family Connection’s list of needs. The center is requesting clothes, food, towels and other items a child might need while staying at the center. But entertainment is also on the list.
“Things like gaming systems, smaller TVs, board games and art supplies help,” Johnston said. “And we always need items like billfolds, purses, scarves, hats and jackets.”
“Runaway and homeless kids are often a forgotten population,” she added. “They get caught in the cracks because they aren’t adults, and they’re not children. It’s critical these kids get the help they need.”
Owens House, The Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center
22747 Highway 25, Columbiana
669-3333
Owens House, The Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center, serves the needs of victimized children and their families. District Attorney Robert Owens initiated the agency in 1993 in an effort to coordinate the Shelby County community’s response to child abuse.
“We serve all kids in Shelby County,” Director Cindy Greer said. “We offer assistance to victims of sexual abuse, provide groups for kids, have prevention programs in schools for kindergarten through third-graders, offer parenting classes and provide court support for children.”
Owens House’s Family Advocate Program is designed to ensure that the safety of child victims is the No. 1 priority, and that the families’ needs are being met. A list of needed items that includes everything from stamps to bandages to cleaning supplies can be found at the organization’s website. All donations are tax-deductible.
The Arc of Shelby County
203 Amphitheater Road, Pelham
664-9313
The Arc of Shelby County has been serving local residents with developmental disabilities since 1974. It sponsors KIDSFIRST, an early intervention program for children ages birth to 3 years old, and Right Jobs, a program to assist individuals with significant development delays.
“We act strictly as an advocacy agency, and we’ve progressively evolved to meet the needs of the community,” Director Kristen Webb said. “We’re here for an individual’s whole lifespan, providing intervention and employment programs, family support groups, informed referrals and transition classes.”
In serving approximately 1,000 residents, the organization’s Christmas wish list includes donations and developmental toys and books for its Early Intervention Program.
“This time of year is always very tight as we provide extra donations to local families,” Webb said. “When you talk about Arc, we are a fairly small nonprofit, and we’re really just trying to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Oak Mountain Missions
2699 Pelham Parkway, Pelham
685-5757
Oak Mountain Missions serves families in the greater Birmingham area and Shelby County with food, clothes, limited financial assistance, furniture and household items. Families are referred to the Mission through domestic violence programs, homeless shelters, social service agencies and churches, and everything is given free of charge.
“About 40 agencies refer families to us, and we have about 30 Faith Support Churches that help by holding food drives or providing money for supplies,” Assistant Director Dianne Cesario said.
Food is an ongoing need at Oak Mountain Missions, but for the holidays, the organization is helping children by providing assistance with Christmas gifts.
“We’re comprising a list, and we will have families come in the week of Dec. 16 to pick out a gift for their children,” Cesario said. “We’re asking for donations of unwrapped new toys or gift certificates for newborns to 18 year olds.”
Food and new unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Mission during operating hours.
