Local organizations are collecting needed items from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, September 19. Donations can be dropped off at the drive-through at Lakeside Church, 745 Oak Avenue Parkway.

Items collected for local community organizations include:

Bicycles for Children and Adults – Folsom State Prison will collect new or used bicycles. The bikes are refurbished and later donated to community members in need.

Glasses – The Folsom Host Lions Club will collect new or used eyeglasses for the Folsom Vision Project, which provides glasses to community members in need.

Yarn and Fabric – The Folsom Lake Lions Club will collect yarn to support the Hooks N Needles program at Folsom State Prison. Inmates crochet, knit, and sew various items, such as caps, scarves, small blankets, and toys. The finished items are later donated to charitable organizations.

Happy Smiles Toy Drive – New toys for children of all ages to benefit regional children’s hospitals, children’s homes, and local nonprofits. The toy drive aims to bring comfort, joy, and a sense of normalcy to children receiving care or support during the holiday season.

Requested items include stuffed animals, fidget toys, puzzles (250–500 pieces), books, coloring books with crayons, dolls, action figures, drawing doodle boards, kids’ blankets and pillows, Lego and Duplo kits, infant rattles and toys, kinetic sand, slime, Squishmallows, Bluetooth headphones for teens, cute journals, surprise toys, and popular character items like Marvel, Paw Patrol, Bluey, and Disney. Small gift cards valued between $10 and $25 to retailers such as Starbucks, Jamba Juice, Target, Walmart, or Amazon. All items must be new.

Purses, Makeup, Jewelry, and Essentials – Julie’s Purse Project collects new and gently used purses filled with essential items to support women experiencing hardship and trauma. Suggested purse contents include toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, hair ties, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, a comb or brush, new makeup, lip balm, condoms, mittens, scarves, ponchos, and other thoughtful necessities someone might need when starting over. The filled purses are delivered to nonprofit organizations throughout Northern California that serve women impacted by sex trafficking, domestic violence, homelessness, incarceration, and natural disasters such as the Camp Fire.

Pet Supplies for Shelter Pets

SPCA: Kong toys for dogs (L & XL are needed most), canned pumpkin, peanut butter (xylitol free), cat food (canned pate style), unopened dry dog food, cat toys, cardboard cat scratchers, kitten milk replacement formula (KMR brand), meat-flavored baby food (turkey, chicken), large beach towels and single-layer blankets (such as fleece).

Homeward Bound: Dog toys, trash bags, poop bags, paper towels, dog cookie treats, pill pockets, and blankets (new and gently used).

Hygiene Products – Donations of personal hygiene items and basic necessities are being collected to support Jake’s Journey Home, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that assists unhoused veterans and community members in making meaningful life changes through wrap-around support services. Requested items include shampoo, conditioner, facial wash, combs, nail clippers and files, sanitary items, lotion, razors, and shave cream. In addition to hygiene products, donations of new socks, underwear, jeans, and T-shirts are also greatly appreciated.

Christmas Gift Wrapping Supplies – Gift wrapping supplies – including rolls of wrapping paper, ribbon spools, bows, and gift bags – will be collected to support the Powerhouse Ministries Christmas Around Towne program.

School Supplies – Support students in need by donating essential school supplies to the FCUSD Families in Transition Program, which assists students experiencing housing instability. Requested items include composition books and spiral notebooks (both college- and wide-ruled), 1- and 1.5-inch binders, binder paper, index cards, pens (blue, red, and black), No. 2 pencils, mechanical pencils, multicolor highlighters, colored pencils, markers, erasers, rulers, scissors, and expandable folders. These supplies help ensure students have the tools they need to stay engaged and succeed in the classroom.