Waypoint has ‘urgent need’ for more gift donations

CEDAR RAPIDS - There's still time to donate gifts to help make the season brighter for families served by Waypoint, a Cedar Rapids organization that provides shelter and housing for survivors and families of domestic abuse.

Agency officials said the original deadline to make donations was 5 p.m. Friday, but because they are in need of more donations, they plan to continue accepting gifts through 5 p.m. Monday.

The annual Waypoint Wonderland celebration starts Tuesday and provides gifts for families served by the agency. As of now, there are not enough donations to ensure each family receives a gift.

'There's an urgent need for donations to ensure there are enough presents to go around,” Waypoint officials said in a news release. 'Last year, Waypoint Wonderland provided holiday gifts to 800 children from families utilizing select Waypoint programs. Each mother also received a gift.”

Brittany Appleton, event and volunteer coordinator, said Waypoint is on-track to distribute gifts to 500 families staying in Waypoint's shelters, those living in poverty and families receiving financial assistance through the organization's child care program.

Appleton said she hopes to be able to serve more families, but to do so, additional new, unwrapped gifts are needed for children ages 12 and younger and their mothers. She said gifts for preteen girls are especially needed.

Officials provided the following list of gift suggestions:

- Ages 0 to 3 - Riding toys, activity centers and gyms, puzzles, soft blocks and educational toys.

- Ages 4 to 6 - Train sets, dolls, Legos, Lincoln Logs, Tonka Trucks, toy trucks, Lite Brights, MagnaDoodles, AquaDoodles, dress-up clothes, food and kitchen toys and educational toys.

- Ages 7 to 12 - Sports equipment, craft kits, puzzles, remote control toys, action figures, Barbies, Monster High dolls and educational toys.

- Stocking stuffers - G-rated movies, hair accessories, matchbox cars, books, bracelets, candy, small games, batteries.

- Mothers - Dish sets, silverware, cookware, Tupperware, new linen, small appliances, perfume, slippers, robes, nail polish.

- Gift certificates - Target, Walmart, Starbucks, Orange Leaf, Hy-Vee, McDonald's, Burger King, movie theaters, AirFX, Bowling Alley, PlayStation, bus passes.

- Personal products - Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, deodorant, razors, baby wash, diapers, diaper cream.

Volunteers and Waypoint employees are to begin sorting gifts this weekend.

Monetary donations are also accepted with checks made out to Waypoint Services.

All donations can be dropped off at the agency's headquarters, 318 Fifth St. SE.

'We do serve a lot of children and their families, and we want to make sure they have a good, stress-free holiday,” Appleton said.

l Comments: (319) 368-8516; makayla.tendall@thegazette.com