A host of Salem organizations are working to make sure everyone in our community gets a chance to celebrate this holiday season. Salem Reporter has compiled a list of drives benefiting local organizations serving kids, families, seniors and others in need. Needs include items like toys and warm clothing. Many drives have opportunities for volunteers to help or other non-monetary needs. Kids are also needed to help write cards for local seniors. Drives are listed in order of deadlines.  Thanksgiving food, toys, clothes for Church at the Park Mary’s House of Hope is collecting Thanksgiving food donations, toys and clothes to benefit families living at Church at the Park’s micro shelters. Thanksgiving donations needed include turkeys, stuffing, gravy potatoes and more. Donations should be made by Wednesday, Nov. 27. Donations of clothing, toys, blankets, shoes and non-perishable foods will be collected through Sunday, Dec. 15. To donate, contact Mary Reid at [email protected] or (503) 884-3764. United Way Pajama Drive United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is collecting pajamas through Saturday, Nov. 30. Donate a pair of new pajamas and help children and families in need stay warm this winter. All sizes are welcome, from newborn through adult sizes. Pajamas can be dropped off at the United Way office, 455 Bilier Ave. N.E., and other locations around the Salem area. See a full list below. Donations benefit a variety of local shelters and nonprofits. Volunteers can also sign up here to help sort donations on Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drop-off locations for United Way’s 2024 pajama drive. Support Oregon State Hospital patients The Caring Tree program ensures each patient at the Oregon State Hospital receives a gift during the holiday season. The program relies on donations and volunteer help to wrap gifts. Requested items are on this Amazon gift registry and include puzzles, cards, games, stationery and clothing. Items should be purchased by Dec. 6.  People can volunteer for the event by emailing [email protected]. Monetary donations can be made out to OSH Volunteer Services – Caring Tree and mailed or dropped off at the hospital, Attn: #R20, 2600 Center St. N.E., Salem, OR 97301.  Family Building Blocks seeks books, toys  Family Building Blocks is collecting donations of children’s books, coats and educational toys. Donations can be delivered to Chelsea’s Place, 2425 Lancaster Dr. N.E. through Wednesday, Dec. 11. Read more about what’s needed here. People can also buy needed items from the organization’s wish list directly at myregistry.com/giftlist/fbb. Contact Julie Duran with questions, [email protected]. Mano a Mano toy drive Mano a Mano Family Center is collecting toy donations to benefit kids in families the organization serves. Toys can be delivered to 2615 Lancaster Dr. N.E. through Friday, Dec. 13. Gift drive for seniors at Center 50+ The Highland Neighborhood Association and Center 50+ are hosting a Gifts and Goodies event on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center, 2615 Portland Rd. N.E. Come wrap gifts and decorate cookies for seniors who are homebound or in care facilities. You can help by donating gifts or showing up to help wrap. Gifts can be dropped off at Center 50+ until Dec. 14. A wish list of suggested gifts is here. Needed items include warm socks and slippers, cozy blankets, large print books, puzzle books and craft kits. People enjoy the Highland Neighborhood Association and Center 50+ Decorate & Donate Holiday Event in 2023. (Courtesy/Highland Neighborhood Association) Kids needed to write holiday cards Operation Christmas Cheer delivers cards to local seniors living in retirement, assisted living, and memory care communities by Wednesday, Dec. 18. Organized by the Mountain West Center for Community Excellence.  Kids can send cards in a larger envelope to Tori Van Cleave at 201 Ferry St. SE, Suite 400, Salem, OR 97301. Classrooms and larger groups should email [email protected] for pick-up. Funds are available for teachers or advisers for card-making supplies. Share the Warmth Windermere Real Estate is holding its annual Share the Warmth Drive through Friday, Dec. 20. Donations can be dropped off at local Windermere offices to benefit local nonprofits. Windermere Pacific West Properties is supporting the Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Project. They ask for coats, blankets, gloves and scarves in all sizes, which can be dropped off at 4285 Commercial St. SE, Suite 100, on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Windermere Heritage is supporting Be Bold Street Ministries. They ask for coats, blankets, hats, mittens and anything for pets, which can be dropped off at 960 Liberty St. S.E., Suite 250, on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Windermere Mid Valley is working with the Salem Dream Center and asks for blankets and new or gently used coats in all sizes, which can be dropped off at 675 Orchard Heights Road, Suite 200, on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Salem for Refugees season of giving Salem for Refugees is collecting items to help recently-arrived refugee families start their new lives in Salem. Items needed include pantry staples, bedding,  Items can be purchased via a wishlist here, or you can sign up to donate a specific item here. Help kids in shelters celebrate their birthdays Simply Birthdays needs toys, gift cards, wrapping paper and gift bags to continue providing birthday parties for children living in local homeless shelters. The Salem nonprofit has for over a decade provided parties and gifts for kids at no cost, with more than 110 this year. Contact Laura at [email protected] to arrange pick-up. Support Salem’s Soup Squad Soup Squad provides free community meals and needed toiletries and other survival items regularly at Wallace Marine Park and Marion Square Park. With cooler weather, the squad is seeking camping gear, warming supplies and other items to help unsheltered neighbors. Soup Squad has an Amazon wish list of needed items here. People can also sign up to volunteer for Soup Squad here. Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241. A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE– If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE. 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