In the giving spirit

As the holidays approach, efforts to reach out to people in need become more visible, but many programs offer year-round support. End-of-the-year holidays tend to tickle people’s benevolent bones, and many local churches do their part to give back to the less fortunate.

For the past 18 years Bunny Richards, who lives in Fountain Valley and is a member of a Costa Mesa church, has been collecting items and assembling bags for various charitable organizations.

She began storing items in her garage and attic, but after 10 years, the annual project outgrew her home. Her church, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, allowed her to move the operation to the church and another member graciously volunteered to store the items collected throughout the year at his warehouse.

Over the weekend, seven volunteer drivers collected all the donated items and delivered them to the church where about 100 volunteers -- mostly church members and friends -- worked to assemble holiday gift bags for homeless people, children, adults, veterans, and anyone else needing some extra love during the holiday season.

After two full days of work, 3,565 bags -- up from last year’s 2,675 -- were assembled and ready for several organizations to pick up.

“I started it because the homeless got nothing and I felt they needed a shirt,” said Richards, who is also the founder of Volunteer Clowns of Orange county, a nonprofit group that provides entertainment for a variety of causes.

Richards began collecting shirts for the homeless and her efforts quickly spread to include just about anything people are willing to purchase or donate.

Richards and her church are not alone in their charitable efforts.

Many churches have a version of food drives for which volunteers purchase items to feed a less fortunate family Thanksgiving dinner.

Sondra Martin, office manager at Liberty Baptist Church in Newport Beach, said the members of the congregation donated baskets that will be delivered today to needy families in Tustin and Costa Mesa via bus ministry.

Rock Harbor Church in Costa Mesa did a similar drive, said Communications Director Jenn Mulroney. Through partnerships with charitable organizations such as Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, Olive Crest and OC Rescue Mission, 420 local families were identified as needing grocery items to prepare Thanksgiving dinner.

Rock Harbor members picked up grocery lists at church, purchased all the requested items and personally delivered them to the family, Mulroney said.

St. James Church in Newport Beach is collecting nonperishable and canned goods today during the congregation’s Thanksgiving feast, said Communications Director Karen Bro.

Bettina Kelch, administrative assistant for the Missions and Discipleship program at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, said they have many charitable holiday drives and activities, but the church believes it’s important to continue these efforts throughout the year.

The church works closely with Friends in Service to Humanity and Share Our Selves to establish relationships with local families who need help all year, not just during the holiday season.

* LINDSAY SANDHAM is the news assistant. She can be reached at (714) 966-4625 or [email protected].

20051123iqdwtjknDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Joan Clamp tosses a stuffed animal into a bin as she sorts toys at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Costa Mesa.