Creighton University

The Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) is asking for donations to purchase medication and medical supplies for its Summer Program in the Dominican Republic. Creighton students and professionals go into the rural areas (campos) and set up medical and dental clinics. Donations of over-the-counter medications, toothbrushes, thermometers, hand sanitizer, etc., will also be accepted. Please contact the ILAC office for an extended list. Donations can be sent to ILAC, Criss III, Room 262. All checks should be made payable to Creighton University/ILAC with the donation earmarked “Summer Program.” For more information, please e-mail Andrea Ordoñez (andreaordonez@creighton.edu) or Marlena Minshall (mminshal@creighton.edu).

The center "provides support to pregnant women to choose life for their unborn child in a Catholic residential environment both during and after pregnancy." Special needs include grocery and household items, diapers (newborn), baby wipes and Tylenol. Contact: Gina Freimuth at (402) 502-9224.

For a complete list of needs, contact Carrie Housh at (402) 558- 5700.

Serves frail, home-bound elderly clients age 60 or older with problems caring for themselves. Most clients have very little purchasing power on fixed incomes. Greatest needs are personal hygiene products and home cleaning supplies. To sponsor an individual or for a list of needs, contact Jeff Reinhart at (402) 444-6654 or jeff.reinhardt@nebraska.gov.

MICAH House is an emergency shelter for homeless families and individuals. Referrals are given to clients for housing options while staying in the shelter. Current needs include: canned fruits and vegetables, toilet paper,
napkins and 30-gallon garbage bags. You can find more online at http://themicahhouse.org. Contact Bobbie Nelson at 323-4416 or BNielsen@themicahhouse.org.

Serves poor and homeless individuals and families through their food pantry system. They would appreciate receiving new or gently used winter clothing for school children (any/all sizes), babies and preschoolers; cans of fruit; tuna; Jell-O; baby food; mac & cheese; pantry and toiletry items. In desperate need of canned fruit, peanut butter, canned vegetables, powdered laundry detergent, large-sized diapers (size 5-6), dish detergent and deodorant. Contact Janell or Lori at 453-7649, e-mail projecthopeomaha.lori@gmail.com.

Shelters homeless women and children and adult males. Volunteers are needed in a variety of capacities, including staffing the office and the front door.  Always accepting donations and especially need coffee and toilet paper. Also, MAT tickets, cleaning and paper products, canned food, and new or used blankets and towels. Please, no used clothing. For additional information contact Holly Kaffenberger, volunteer coordinator, (402) 715-5445.

Conducts an annual holiday toy drive for children ages 3-16. Needs food items for pantry and Thanksgiving drive. Also needed: blankets, coats, hats, mittens for all ages and sexes, and diapers of all sizes. Cash donations accepted to purchase food. Contact Krissy Madej 402-345-8047 x201, kmadej@togetheromaha.org.

Men’s, women’s and children's winter hats and gloves, women’s perfume/cologne sets, hairdryers, curling irons and alarm clocks, children's toys for Christmas morning (please drop off by 12/10)! Phone cards and cards for bus tickets are also welcome gifts during the holidays and throughout the year. Contact Maggie Cope at 829-1554 or visit www.opendoormission.org. 

CSI is accepting gifts for children in its emergency shelters and children and families involved in other agency services through its Substitute Santa program. Ethnic baby dolls, Barbie dolls and toys for boys are especially needed. The drop dates for Substitute Santa are Dec. 5-7. Call 504-3661 for more information on Substitute Santa, or contact the Child Saving Institute at 553-6000.

The Siena/Francis House, located next to Creighton's campus at 17th and Nicholas streets, is Nebraska's largest homeless shelter, providing food, shelter and clothing to homeless men, women and children. Needed items include: canned fruits and vegetables (large, #10 cans, preferred); individually wrapped, prepackaged food items to go into sack lunches; powdered laundry detergent; 55-gallon trash bags; bleach and disinfectant cleaner; cold-weather clothing, including coats, sweatshirts, gloves, hats, socks, underwear, men’s long john bottoms; blankets; personal-care products, such as bar soap, shampoo, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, toothpaste and toothbrushes, pain relievers, throat lozenges; antiseptic cream, adhesive bandages, foot powder, combs and brushes, disposable diapers, and feminine hygiene products. Contact Tim Sully at (402) 341-1821 or e-mail tsully@sienafrancis.org.tsully@sienafrancis.org

Completely Kids (formerly Camp Fire USA) offers out-of-school programs serving at-risk youth in pre-kindergarten through 12 grade and their families. Currently serving children in seven elementary schools, two middle schools and three homeless shelters in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. Completely Kids provides a safe structured environment where at-risk youth can receive the skills to help them succeed with academic performance, avoid risky behaviors, develop appropriate life skills and foster a desire to give back to the neighborhood through community service.   Participants also receive a healthy snack or meal each day, along with a backpack of food for the weekend. Creighton Students volunteer at all of our Completely Kids locations throughout the year, gaining experience in language arts, physical fitness, education, social work and health care.  Completely Kids is in need of not only volunteers, but books, board games and toys ($10-15) for its holiday parties. For some, this gift will be the only present these children will receive at the holidays. Gifts will be collected through Dec. 9. For more information, please contact Katie Guenther at Completely Kids, 397-5809, ext. 220, or kguenther@completelykids.org.