W ith Thanksgiving behind us - and 11,000 Idaho families receiving donated turkeys through the Idaho Foodbank this month - our attention turns to Christmas, and the agencies that need your help to support local families.

As we've done in the past, we're keeping a "Needs of the Season" list to help you know where, how and what to give. This year, the list, which so far includes everything from those ubiquitous turkeys to writing letters to veterans and helping needy kids buy gifts, is found on my blog, "Helping Works," the online counterpart to this column.

I will update the list through December as I receive new information from you, so check the blog often. Here are a couple items to get you started:

® Garden City Police: Yearly Christmas Giveaway

The Officers' Association is helping needy families in Garden City with gifts of clothing, toys, books and other items, Christmas dinner and, as budget permits, food staples to last a week.

The department is accepting donations (new toys for all ages, books, blankets, socks, etc.) to support the event. Anyone who donates by Dec. 7 will be entered into a raffle for golfing at River Birch Golf Course, Roaring Springs passes and more.

Come into the Garden City Police Department, 301 E. 50th St., Garden City, during regular business hours or call Kristin Boehm for more information: 472-2956.

® "Fill the Basket" for World Relief

The refugee resettlement agency needs help filling baskets for local refugee families through its Christmas "Fill the Basket" project. Baskets should be filled with fruit and chocolate/candy and a gift card for the family. World Relief will provide donors with information about the family they're helping.

Baskets must be in by Dec. 18. For more: Sue Hagler at shagler@wr.org, or 323-4964 ext. #110.

REMEMBER THE SOROPTIMISTS

The Soroptimist Club is helping get Christmas gifts to more than 850 local seniors and foster care children in need. If you missed it, the full list was in the Thanksgiving Day Idaho Statesman, or you can find it online at IdahoStatesman.com. Then, call the phone numbers listed on Monday to help brighten someone's holiday.

TWEET FOR A CAUSE

Alisa Bondurant, who works for the Department of Labor, has come up with a creative way to connect people to help nonprofit causes.

She's using her Twitter page as a clearing house for volunteer and donation opportunities. A selection of her recent tweets:

® This holiday season share the joy of reading with a local needy child by donating a new book to Operation Wish Book http://bit.ly/4j5vu5

® Other Mothers is giving 10 percent off your entire purchase if you bring in four cans of food www.othermothersboise.com.

® If you quilt, crochet or knit, consider making a blanket for a child who is seriously ill, traumatized or in need http://www.linusidaho.org.

Follow Bondurant: http://twitter.com/giveback2day.

SUPPORT MUSICAL BRONCOS

We love the football, but have never forgotten that Bronco Nation includes artists, musicians and many others. Come to the music department's annual Family Holiday Concert, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 6, in the Morrison Center Main Hall. All proceeds benefit the Boise State University Music Department Scholarship Fund. Tickets: $1 for non-Boise State students, $6 seniors and $8 general by calling Select-a-Seat at 426-1494, online at www.idahotickets.com or through any Select-a-Seat outlet.

COMMUNITY SHOPPING AT DUNIA

Dunia Marketplace (formerly Ten Thousand Villages), is co-hosting shopping events throughout the season with local nonprofits. Fifteen percent of the proceeds from each shopping night, which includes a bonfire, treats and marshmallow roasting, will go to the hosting group.

The first sale is 6-9 p.m., Friday at 1609 N. 13th St., to benefit the Idaho Peace Coalition. For information, call: 333-0535. Find the full list of sales online: http://www.tenthousandvillagesid.com.

Anna Webb: 377-6431