Not everyone is sipping a hot toddy or glass of eggnog in front of an open fire this holiday season.
In Laguna Niguel, there are numerous individuals who have seen and continue to see hard times this past year.
Mary Knab, a resident and advocate for the is hoping to make these displaced individuals a bit of holiday cheer.
She say the Faith Episcopal Church located at 27802 El Lazo, is pulling together a "mock store," and hopes to stock it with the following items it needs from the community:
"This year at our Christmas dinner for our 'Hands of Grace' guests we are hoping to stock a mock store with new and slightly-used donated items, and allowing them to shop," she said.
Here is her wish list for the shop:
- Men's Clothing: Sizes M-XL
- Underwear, Boxer Briefs
- White Athletic Socks
- Sweats
- T-Shirts
- Sweaters
- Jeans
- Women's Clothing: Sizes S-L, mostly need M and L
- Underwear, cotton
- White Athletic Socks
- Sweats
- T-Shirts Sweaters
- Jeans
- Leggings
- Sporting Goods
- Flashlights
- Batteries, AAA, C, D
- Book Lights
- Umbrellas
- Rain Ponchos Sleeping Bags
- Duffel Bags and Backpacks
- Backpacker's Stoves and Fuel
- Personal First Aid Kits
- Bungee Cords
Hygiene:
- Lotion ie Jergens or Vaseline Intensive Care
- Towels, Bath, Hand and Washcloths
- Razors and Shaving Cream
- Deodorant
- Tylenol, Advil Tums, OTC Allergy Meds, Cold and Flu Meds
- Hair Spray
- Small Bottles of Shampoo and Conditioner
- Combs and Brushes
- New Pillows
- Electronic:
- New or slightly new Portable DVD Players or Laptops
- Prepaid Phones
- Universal Charging Cords for cars
Food:
- Soups and Stews that can be microwaved in their own container
- Canned Fruit
- Microwave Popcorn
- Nuts
- Crackers
- Gladware
- Ziplock Bags, quart and gallon sizes
- Miscellaneous:
- Motor Oil
- Book Lights
- Reading Glasses, Men's and Women's from 1.25 to 2.50 Sunglasses
- Costco or Arco Gift Cards for gas
- Dog Food
- Word Search or Crossword or Sodoku
- Books
- Pens and Sharpies
- Beginners Art Sets
- Regal Movie Passes
"We got a large donation of hats, gloves and scarves so we don't need those. We just got a family with three boys and a fourth due in March. The dad is looking for a job," she said. "We will try to give them the best Christmas we can, but donations of toys and gift cards would certainly help."
The boys are ages 7, 3, 1.
They can use unwrapped toys, clothing and pajamas. The younger two boys wear sizes 2 and 3T and the older boy needs size 8. Mom would love a dress to wear to church on Christmas. She can wear a Size 12-14, keeping her belly in mind. And Dad just wants a job, Knab said.
"He was previously in the home remodeling business. We try to give families in homelessness gift cards to Target, Walmart, Vons, Ralphs or CVS do they can use them toward necessities," she said.
The dinner and Christmas party is on Dec. 19.
Contact the church if you have questions at 949-448-8114.
