Lend a hand to these central Illinois organizations this holiday season. Check Illinois Times next week for more local wish lists. Send lists to [email protected]

Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County

1514 West Jefferson, 523-2710

Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County is a community-driven nonprofit organization that develops working partnerships with local businesses, churches, community organizations and other individuals to build simple, decent and affordable housing for all people in need. Since its founding in 1989, Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County has built 79 houses in the local community while providing shelter for more than 300 individuals.

With List: Readers can help fulfill Habitat’s wish list by donating to the Habitat ReStore and by spending their holiday shopping dollars in the ReStore to purchase new furniture, housewares, holiday décor, lighting, rugs, flooring, etc. at great savings over retail. Proceeds help to fund their mission to provide affordable housing in Sangamon County. The ReStore is open Monday though Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Also, cash donations are needed to fund 2010 housing projects

M.E.R.C.Y. Communities

Formed in 1999, M.E.R.C.Y. (Mentors, Empowerment and Resources for Change in Young families) Communities fulfills its mission of providing housing and supportive services to foster the independence of homeless and atrisk families through the provision of four programs: the flagship program is two years of transitional living with follow up aftercare services, designed for female-headed households in which mom needs to develop further education, job and daily living skills in order to become self-sufficient; permanent supportive housing for disabled heads of households with children for the purpose of helping families with special needs to remain intact and stable in housing; and income-tested affordable housing for very low-income families. In 2009, M.E.R.C.Y. has served 30 moms and 52 children. This year they are increasing to 32 units of housing.

Wish List:

• Living room, bedroom and kitchen furniture
• Enthusiastic, compassionate volunteers willing to assist with families and/or the furniture store
• Volunteers to be on a speaker’s bureau to help spread the word about M.E.R.C.Y.
• Donations to the MERCY Communities fund through Sangamon County Community Foundation
• Children’s activity items — crayons, washable paints, markers, craft idea books, board games, DVD’s, toys appropriate for infancy through age 18.
• Linens — mattress pads, blankets, pillows, comforters, sheets
• Infant and toddler beds and linens — sheets, mattress pads
• Child size tables/chairs, desks, toy boxes
• Kitchen utensils, including pots/pans, silverware, dishes
• Kitchen linens — towels, washcloths, potholders
• Small microwaves, coffee pots, toasters
• Trash cans and tall kitchen trash bags
• Wall hangings — pictures, mirrors, etc.
• Bath linens — towel sets, shower curtains, rugs, bowl brushes
• Baby supplies — sippy cups, diaper rash ointments, diapers, wipes, etc.
• Shelving — to include bookcases
• Cleaning supplies — dishwashing soap, 409, Lysol, oven cleaner, Swiffers, etc.
• Household paper products — toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towels, etc.
• Laundry Supplies — detergent, fabric softener, bleach, etc.