Youth Alternatives Develops Holiday "Wish List" for Children and Teens in its Programs and Group Homes

Gifts still being accepted though December 19th

Youth Alternatives, a statewide non-profit organization, has put out an annual "wish list" this holiday season for persons and businesses interested in donating gifts for children and teens involved in its programs.

"We need the most gifts for children between the ages of 8 and 17, but will appreciate anything people or businesses can provide," said Erin O'Connor Jones, vice president of communications at Youth Alternatives.

Gifts will be accepted through December 19, 2002.

The gifts will be provided to the more than 300 children and youth served by the organization throughout the state. The requests came from the children themselves and cover a wide range of items - dolls, CDs, hair styling supplies and crafts, to name a few.

Those who receive assistance from Youth Alternatives include survivors of abuse and neglect, whether physical, emotional or sexual; parents in need of support and education; children and youth at-risk for homelessness or criminal behavior; and/or families at-risk of having a child removed from their homes.

Gifts can be dropped off at Youth Alternatives, located on the second floor at 400 Congress Street in Portland. If wrapped, please note the age, gender and gift on a label. Also, individuals or groups interested in "adopting a family" are asked to contact Lynley Walker, development coordinator, at 874-1175 or lwalker@youthalternatives.org.

A sampling of the requested items on the "wish list" include (a full list follows below):

For boys and girls in any age group: At least 50 gift certificates are needed (Wal-Mart, Reny's, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Burlington Coat Factory, Best Buy, Borders, Circuit City, movie passes, for example.)

For girls ages 9 and up: Craft supplies, baskets of vanity products, books, hair supplies, games, a bag for school, stationary, a sled and a Sponge Bob comforter are included on the list.

For girls ages 1 to 8: dolls, books, stickers, learning toys, dress-up clothes, an Easy Bake oven and a mirror for a room.

For boys ages 9 and up: books, CDs, paints, skateboards, athletic equipment, Kaiba trading cards, Life and Monopoly board games and Yu-Gi-Oh starter deck booster packs.

For boys ages 1 to 8: cars and trucks, learning toys, crayons, Winnie the Pooh items, Lego's, bed sheets and Harry Potter "stuff."

"Many of these children are going through events in their lives and issues that most children do not have to deal with," O'Connor Jones said. "We truly are grateful for any generosity to help make this holiday season a little more special for them."

Founded in 1972, Youth Alternatives, headquartered at 400 Congress St. in Portland, provides a full range of services, from prevention of child abuse and neglect to intensive intervention and safe-haven homes for youth. Through its programs, Youth Alternatives serves more than 7,000 children, youth and family members throughout Maine each year.

In addition to programs and services, Youth Alternatives residential homes for children include Bass House, Heritage House, Perry's Place, Reardon's Place and ROADS Group Home.

Youth Alternatives relies on federal, state and local grants, foundations, United Way organizations, corporate support and individual donations. For more information, visit online at www.youthalternatives.org.

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REPORTERS/EDITORS: For a complete Wish List and other news about Youth Alternatives, go to Wolfe News Wire at www.wolfenews.com. Also, the list is pasted below. Thank you.

For Girls

Ages 1 - 8:

• (7) Dolls
  
  
• (7) Art supplies/coloring supplies
  
  
• (4) Books
  
  
• (2) Stickers
  
  
• (3) Learning/Age-appropriate toys
  
  
• Toy make-up
  
  
• Dress-up clothes
  
  
• Chalkboard
  
  
• Clock
  
  
• Movies & Games
  
  
• Clothing
  
  
• Socks, hats & gloves
  
  
• Hair ties, barrettes & hair supplies
  
  
• Sponge Bob stuff
  
  
• Mirror for a room
  
  
• Easy bake oven
  
  
• Bed sheets
  
  
  
  Ages 9 - 17:
  
  
  
  
• (11) CD's
  
  
• School supplies
  
  
• (8) Books
  
  
• (6) Craft supplies
  
  
• (9) Baskets of make-up and vanity
  
  products, moisturizers, body stuff
  
  
• (6) Hair supplies
  
  
• (3) Make-up kit
  
  
• (2) Shirts
  
  
• (2) Pants
  
  
• Needlepoint
  
  
• Pajamas (L)
  
  
• Tupac Shakur drawing -
  
  (located at Kiosk at the Maine Mall)
  
  
• Sponge Bob comforter
  
  
• Fast & Furious movie
  
  
• Backstreet Boys stuff
  
  
• Winnie the Pooh items
  
  
• Jewelry making kit
  
  
• Games
  
  
• Hat
  
  
• Bag for school
  
  
• Stationery
  
  
• Strobe light
  
  
• Color Game Boy with games
  
  
• CD headphone set
  
  
• Blow up chair
  
  
• Sled
  
  
• Karaoke machine
  
  
  
  For Boys
  
  Ages 1 - 8:
  
  
• (9) Cars, trucks
  
  
• (5) Books
  
  
• (5) Learning/Discovery toys & games
  
  
• (5) Coloring books & crayons
  
  
• (2) Dolls
  
  
• (4) Play dough
  
  
• Football/baseball equipment
  
  
• Winnie the Pooh
  
  
• Army toys
  
  
• Dinosaurs
  
  
• (2) Harry Potter stuff
  
  
• Pokemon cards/accessories
  
  
• Movies & Games
  
  
• Clothing
  
  
• (2) Lego's
  
  
• Bed sheets
  
  
  
  Ages 9 - 17:
  
  
• (10) Books
  
  
• (12) CD's
  
  
• (8) School supplies
  
  
• (5) Coloring supplies/paints
  
  
• (5) Yu-Gi-Oh starter deck booster pack
  
  
• Remote control car
  
  
• (2) Toys
  
  
• (2) Skateboard
  
  
• (2) Color game-boy
  
  
• Clothing
  
  
• Games
  
  
• Skateboard equipment
  
  
• Football/baseball equipment
  
  
• Car magazines/books
  
  
• Tools
  
  
• Radio
  
  
• Nintendo 64 "Spiderman" video game
  
  
• Harry Potter books
  
  
• Kaiba trading cards
  
  
• Journal
  
  
• NHL 2003 Playstation 2 game
  
  
• Fight Club movie
  
  
• No Fear clothing
  
  
• Socks, t-shirts & boxers
  
  
• Walkie-talkie
  
  
• Life & Monopoly games