Giving with Heart: Many La Jolla-based charities could use your help

Once the pumpkin pie is finished, the last leftover turkey sandwich consumed, and you begin searching for those perfect holiday gifts, you may want to include the local organizations that need some support. Here are 12 noteworthy causes (in alphabetical order) that would benefit from the gift of your time or donations to help them make life better for others.

❤ Care ‘N’ Share

Toy Drive Torrey Pines Rotary Club is collecting new and gently used stuffed animals for patients at Rady Children’s Hospital, Hospital Infantil de las Californias and Children’s Lifeline. To date, the Care ‘N Share Toy Drive has distributed more than 22,000 stuffed animals to put smiles on the faces of sick children in the region.

• Donations will be accepted until Dec. 30

• Drop off sites: La Jolla Seville, 1001 Genter St. and Postal Annex, 7514 Girard Ave., Suite 1

• Information: nancy@torreypinesrotary.org or torreypinesrotary.org

❤ Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation

There is hardly an institution in La Jolla that does not benefit from the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation. Established by the late benefactress, the Foundation is vital to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Scripps Health, La Jolla Woman’s Club, The Bishop’s School, The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, La Jolla Public Library, Torrey Pines State Park and others.

• How to give: Call (800) 326-3776 for more details

❤ Foundation for Women

Although the Foundation for Women (FFW) has been engaging in microfinance to end poverty since 1997, recent efforts have been shifted toward providing supplies in Liberia to help prevent the spread of Ebola. FFW opened an account at the City National Bank La Jolla branch where a $20 donation will go toward providing a bucket and enough bleach to help sanitize hands to prevent the spread of the virus for one family.

• How to give: Mail or drop off a donation to City National Bank, 800 Silverado St., Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92037, or visit FoundationForWomen.org or call (858) 483-0400.

❤ La Jolla Community Foundation

The La Jolla Community Foundation (whose mission is to encourage civic engagement and pride through local philanthropy) continues to distribute grants to keep La Jolla on the forefront of innovation. (See related story on their most recent grant distribution here). The Foundation has also established a donor-advised fund to manage financial contributions to a new biosciences and technology center planned for La Jolla High School.

• To contribute to the biosciences center, visit LJHS-BioscienceCenter.com

• To contribute to the La Jolla Community Foundation, click here.

❤ La Jolla Meals on Wheels

La Jolla Meals On Wheels has served daily meals to elderly and home-bound La Jollans since 1974 (in the 92037 and some parts of 92122 ZIP codes). Volunteers with its sister program, La Jolla Friendly Visitors, spend time with homebound seniors, offering companionship and friendship.

• What to donate: Your time (volunteers are always needed) and funds

• How to give: Call (858) 452-0391 or visit LaJollaMealsOnWheels.org/donate

❤ Las Patronas

By giving to Las Patronas, the La Jolla-based philanthropy group for women, your financial contributions go to a bevy of local organizations. The group picks 10 major beneficiaries each year, and a few dozen minor beneficiaries. Past beneficiaries include La Jolla Playhouse, Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and So Others May Eat.

How to donate:

• LasPatronas.org to contribute financial contributions

• Donate goods to be auctioned off at Las Patronas events

• donations@LasPatronas.org

• (619) 993-2012

❤ It’s Up to Us

The holidays can be a tough time for some people and It’s Up To Us connects those with mental illness or depression with resources, and suicide prevention and support. There are resources for men, women, young people, seniors, parents, LGBT individuals, active and former military, and more. It’s Up To Us also provides resources on how to talk to someone about mental illness and reduce the negativity.

• Volunteer with any one of the dozens of mental health organizations: up2sd.org/help-others/volunteer

❤ Natural High

Encouraging young people to say “yes” to their passions and “no” to drugs and alcohol, Natural High is a 501(c)3 substance abuse prevention organization based in La Jolla. Staff use a digital platform to spread their message, encouraging young people to upload videos and photos with what their natural high is. They also have videos of celebrities doing the same. Each dollar helps the organization reach five young people

• How give: Visit NaturalHigh.org/give

❤ Surfrider Foundation

Love the beach? So does the SurfRider Foundation San Diego, a nonprofit dedicated to the protection of San Diego beaches. From January to June, the SurfRider Foundation San Diego chapter held 80 beach cleanups, during which volunteers picked up 5,671 pounds of trash, including more than 34,000 cigarette butts, 11,000 pieces of Styrofoam and 3,000 plastic bags.

• What to give: Your time (volunteers needed) or funds through sandiego.surfrider.org or mail a monetary donation to 9883 Pacific Heights Blvd. Suite D, San Diego, CA 92121

❤ Sparkle and Shine

La Jolla Village Merchant Association’s Sparkle and Shine campaign asks business owners and residents to purchase a $400 banner, which flies for a month in the Village, to help pay for steam-cleaning the streets. The banners will fly from December to March, 2015. Banners can include a business name, school or favorite sports team.

• Contact: (858) 454-5718 or info@LaJollaByTheSea.com

❤ The Seany Foundation

The Seany Foundation — a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in honor of Sean Lewis Robins and his lost battle with a rare childhood cancer — raises money to introduce young cancer patients to summer camp activities. The Foundation also partnered with UCSD to fund two pediatric cancer research fellows.

• How to donate: Call (800) 794-8282, or visit TheSeanyFoundation.org or mail to The Seany Foundation, 4660 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92122.

❤ Toys For Tots

The San Diego Toys for Tots campaign — a program under the auspices of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve — is collecting new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to children during the holidays. The organization accepts monetary donations at san-diego-ca.toysfortots.org and toy donations at any of the following drop-off locations in La Jolla. (619) 292-9191 or sandiego.toys4tots@gmail.com

• La Jolla Blue Book: 7966 Herschel Ave.

• Northwestern Mutual: 4225 Executive Square, Suite 1250

• Pickford Escrow Company: 1299 Prospect St. Suite 105

• San Diego Marriott La Jolla: 4240 La Jolla Village Drive

• Torrey Pines Christian Church: 8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive North

• Torrey Pines Club Corporation: 11480 North Torrey Pines Road

• UCSD Extension: 9600 North Torrey Pines Road

• Fire Station No. 9: 7870 Ardath Lane