Donors Needed to Make Holidays Warmer
for Homeless Women and Children

SAN LEANDRO, CA (December 8, 2004) The holidays are fast approaching and Building Futures with Women and Children, a local nonprofit serving women and children surviving homelessness and domestic violence, is calling on generous community members to donate new items from its 2004 Holiday Wish List.

Each year, Building Futures provides every single woman and child served with holiday gifts. With the San Leandro and Midway Shelters, the Sister Me Home Safe House, and Bessie Coleman Court to provide for, this amounts to hundreds of presents. "This has been a challenging year for organizations serving the poor. Building Futures counts on generous community members to help us make the holidays brighter for the women and kids we serve," Executive Director Elaine de Coligny says.

Items on the wish list for adult women include: Bath and Body Kits, Nightgowns, Pajamas, and Slippers.
Wish list items for children include: Etch-A-Sketch, Magna Doodle, Barbie/baby dolls of color, handheld electronic games, art supplies, and toy cars and trucks.

Families, companies, or organizations interested in making larger donations are encouraged to consider making monetary gifts.

The organization also has an ongoing need for new women and children's underclothes.

Donations can be dropped off between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1395 Bancroft Ave in San Leandro, or by arrangement.

The Holiday Wish List can be viewed on Building Futures' Web site at www.bfwc.org.

Building Futures relies on funding from the government, foundations, business donors, individuals, and volunteers to help provide services to benefit the many homeless and abused women and children that come to Building Futures each day seeking food, shelter, safety, and support.

For more information, visit Building Futures with Women and Children's Web site at www.bfwc.org or contact Patricia Bidar at (510) 357-0205, ext. 114.

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