The holidays are rapidly approaching, but there’s still time to donate to the many toy, coat and food drives happening in the community. Here’s a list of charitable groups that could use your help making the holiday a little brighter for those in need.
CAST, 53930 Main Road, Southold, 631-477-1717; castnorthfork.org
The Center for Advocacy, Support and Transformation (CAST) is accepting donations of new and unwrapped toys for children of all ages until Monday, December 16. Drop off locations can be found from Riverhead to Shelter Island; the complete list is available on CAST’s website. Toys can also be shipped directly from online retailers. Gift cards and monetary donations are accepted at CAST’s Southold location, by mail, or online.
Cutchogue Fire Department, 260 New Suffolk Road, Cutchogue, 631-734-6907; cutchoguefiredept.org
The Cutchogue Fire Department will accept new toys at their 12th annual Stuff the Sleigh 5K Run/Walk event on Sunday, December 8 at 10 a.m. Runners are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys, while children’s fun run participants should bring two items of non-perishable food.
Kait’s Angels, P.O. Box 1081, Mattituck; kaitsangels.org
Kait’s Angels will collect gift cards and toys until Friday, December 6 at various locations around Southold Town, including Billy’s by the Bay, Hair Solutions, East End Bagel Café, St. John Paul II Regional School and Sannino Vineyard.
Mattituck-Cutchogue Parent-Teacher-Student Association, P.O. Box 250, Mattituck; mcptsa.org
Mattituck-Cutchogue Jr.-Sr. High School, 15125 Main Road, Mattituck, 631-298-8471; mhs.mufsd.com
The Mattituck-Cutchogue Parent-Teacher-Student Association is holding a clothing drive and will accept new and gently used jackets, shoes, toys and other items until Monday, December 16. Items can be dropped off anytime at Mattituck-Cutchogue Jr.-Sr. High School during school hours (7:30 a.m.-2:10 p.m.).
Oregon Road Organics, 12595 Oregon Road, Mattituck, 631-735-9195; oregonroadorganics.com
The Mattituck Lions and Oregon Road Organics will collect donations of toys, gift cards, and non-perishable canned and boxed goods on Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Items may be dropped off at Oregon Road Organics’ farm stand; the Lions Club will distribute donations to local families in need.
Orient Beach State Park, 40000 Main Road, Orient, 631-323-2440; parks.ny.gov/parks/orientbeach
Orient Beach State Park will be collecting coats and canned food at their Holiday Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 7. Santa arrives with the Orient Fire Department at 4 p.m., tree lighting at 5 p.m.
Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 1111 Osborn Avenue, Riverhead, 631-727-1686; riverheadvac.com
The Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps (RVAC) is hosting its 8th annual Holiday Toy Drive on Sunday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its headquarters at 1111 Osborn Avenue, Riverhead. The drive will collect toys for Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens; the hospital cannot accept food or candy, Play-Doh, LEGO kits, clothing, blankets, stress balls, handmade items, baby toys, violence-based toys, battery-powered cars, science kits, used toys, and stuffed animals that are not in factory-sealed plastic. A drop-off bin is available at JJ Armory LLC, located at 38 West Main St., Riverhead.
Family Service League, 400 West Main Street, Riverhead, 631-591-7577 or 631-369-0104; fsl-li.org
Family Service League’s Project Toy, with lead sponsor Bethpage Federal Credit Union, provides gifts for over 6,000 Suffolk County children and teens annually. Items may be dropped off at the Riverhead Family Center or at several other locations found on FSL’s website. Items may be purchased from FSL’s Amazon Wish List and shipped to them as well.
